Wild West Riders Saddle Up at Will Rogers State Park

A polo game, parading horses, a Wild West show and even an impersonator of Will Rogers--it’s all part of Sunday’s ninth annual Equestrian Show at Will Rogers State Historic Park in Pacific Palisades. The daylong festivities take place on the broad, inviting lawns of the park and are perfect for families. And it’s free, except for the $3 parking fee.

The day begins with a polo game at 10 a.m. Families should come early, bring blankets and stake out a spot on the embankment overlooking the playing field. Picnickers are welcome. There will also be hot dogs, hamburgers and drinks (including beer and wine) for sale.

The Equestrian Show begins at 1:15 p.m. with Phil Spangenberger’s Wild West Show with fancy gun handling, trick riding and roping, and cowboys and Indians on horseback. The program continues with a demonstration by Peruvian pasos, considered the smoothest riding horses in the world; Hoofbeats of Norco, square-dancing horses; trick riding by Jim Mecate, and charro (Mexican-style) roping by Rosendo Solis. The Valley View Vaulters, a group of youngsters, will demonstrate acrobatic skills on horseback.

The ranch house and nature center will be open for tours from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and there are hiking trails that loop through the park.

The park is located at 14253 Sunset Blvd. Information: (213) 454-8212.

SPECIAL EVENTS

The hobby of baseball-card collecting has come back strong in the past year, especially with preteen boys, many of whom haven’t quite grasped the idea that $100 cards are not waiting on the counter at the corner 7-Eleven. To get this point across, head for today’s Baseball Card and Olympic Pin Show at the Pasadena Center, 300 E. Green St. More than 50 vendors will display the latest Topps 50-cent packs as well as rare and not-so-rare oldies. The $1 admission entitles showgoers to a free autograph by California Angels rookie Dante Bichette from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Show hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Information: (818) 793-2122.

At this weekend’s Lively Arts Festival at Hillcrest Park in Fullerton, parents will be able to browse--unfettered--among the 85 artists’ and craftsmen’s stalls. That’s where the “creative kids’ corner� comes in: It’s a drop-in, fenced-in workshop where all ages are welcome to stay as long as they wish. Kids will make art projects while their parents browse. The continuous entertainment is for everyone. Today, it will be mostly jazz, but Sunday’s program will have more kid appeal, with everything from country & Western to an all-girl song-and-dance troupe. Also planned is face painting, and there will be plenty of food booths. The park is at Harbor Boulevard and Valley View Drive. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. Information: (714) 738-6575.

The traditional highlight of the Fishermen’s Fiesta, at Berth 73 in San Pedro, is the blessing of the fleet. Bishop Carl Fisher will preside at 1 p.m. Sunday. But there’s more to this festival than a sprinkling of holy water. Today and Sunday, there’s nonstop entertainment (bands from rock to salsa to Dixieland), a cioppino cook-off for those interested in Italian fish soup, game booths, fish sandwiches, ethnic foods and carnival rides. Admission is free. Hours today are 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Berth 73 is at Sixth Street and Harbor Boulevard off 22nd Street. Information: (213) 832-7272.

Get a head start on Halloween this weekend at Kidspace Museum in Pasadena, where youngsters will make front-door skeleton decorations. Using themselves as patterns, participants will outline their bodies on butcher paper and then add the bony details. Workshops are scheduled for 1, 2 and 3 p.m. today and Sunday and are free with admission ($3). Suitable for ages 2 and up. The museum is at 390 S. El Molino Ave. Information: (818) 449-9144.

Send items at least two weeks before event (Saturday and Sunday events only) to Family Spots, View Section, Los Angeles Times, Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles, CA 90053. Phone calls will not be accepted. All items must include dates, times, exact addresses, phone numbers and admission prices.