Don’t be confused when the Fountain Valley Sports Park looks like it’s set up for Summerfest this weekend.
That’s because a new three-day event – the Pho Festival – will be held Friday through Sunday, Dec. 7-9, at the Sports Park, 16400 Brookhurst St.
Pho, a rice-noodle soup, is one of Vietnam’s most popular home-style dishes.
A Best Pho Contest will feature several local chefs, including Pho Akaushi Chef Tom Nguyen, Round 3 Pho Noodle House Chef Steven Troung, VV Foods Chef Tranh Vu, Hong Phat Deli Chef Tim Nguyen, Dos Chinos (Food Network, Cooking Channel, CBS) Chef Hop Phan, among others.
Pho will be judged in two categories: beef and chicken. The contest will be held at 6 p.m. Saturday and an awards ceremony will be held at 4 p.m. Sunday.
The festival will also include a food court offering Vietnamese, American and Mexican cuisines; spring roll cooking demonstrations; a beer, wine and spirits garden; live music; and the crowning of Mr. and Mrs. Pho Festival 2018. Cooking demonstrations, live music and carnival rides also are planned.
The festival is free but parking is $5. Unlimited carnival ride wristbands are $30.
Festival hours are 5 to 11 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday.
The festival is being presented by Smoking Ribs BBQ in cooperation with the city and the Fountain Valley Community Foundation. For more information, visit ocphofest.com
Also this weekend …
The Fountain Valley Historical Society will hold its 30th annual Christmas in the Gazebo from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Heritage Park.
The event is a fundraiser for the Historical Society and will feature a Christmas-theme bake sale; vendors offering holiday gifts, home décor, children’s items and more for sale; home-made ice cream; and a crafts table for children. Interested vendors can call 714-847-7714.
The event also features musical entertainment, a deejay, magician Hayden Allcorn and is highlighted by the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Heritage Park is next to the library, 17635 Los Alamos St.