Your Patch Guide to Happiness

Three-day weekend! Woo-hoo!

Of course, the long weekend isn't just for beach trips and picnics, but to honor and remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

We can guide you to opportunities in Ramona and beyond to salute the fallen on Memorial Day.

What else is happening? Art and theater openings and a bevy of high school playoffs on Saturday.

MEMORIAL DAY

• Where/when: Midway Museum, 910 N. Harbor Dr., San Diego, 9 a.m. Saturday.

• Why go: The museum hosts several events in conjunction with Memorial Day, including the laying of a remembrance wreath Saturday, followed by an evening concert with '80s pop star Kenny Loggins, whose hit “Danger Zone” was featured in Top Gun. Activities continue through Wednesday.

• Price: Mostly free, but concert tickets start at $69.

• Where/when: , 532 Ash St, Ramona, 10 a.m. Monday.

• Why go: The Memorial Day ceremony honors Gold Star Mothers who have lost a son or daughter in a conflict. Rep. Duncan Hunter will be the keynote speaker.

• Price: Free.

• Where/when: Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, Cabrillo Memorial Dr & McClelland Rd, San Diego, 10 a.m. Monday.

• Why go: Rear Admiral William Douglas French, Navy Region Southwest Commander, will offer the keynote address and the ceremony will include prayers, historical readings and music by the Navy Band Southwest.

• Price: Free.

CLOSE TO HOME

• Where/when: Olive Peirce Middle School Amphitheater, 1521 Hanson Ln, Ramona, 7 p.m. Friday.

• Why go: Tim Haas is the featured artist for the Pops Concert. The patriotic program includes the "1812 Overture." School performers include the Ramona school district Elementary Honor Band and the high school Royal Blues Jazz Band. 

• Price: $7-$12.

• Where/when: Ramona Mainstage, 626 Main St, Ramona, 7 p.m. Friday.

• Why go: Comedian Craig Shoemaker tops a bill that includes three other performers.

• Price: $30-$35.

BEST BETS, A LITTLE FARTHER OUT

• Where/when: , 1363 Old Globe Way, San Diego, Sunday.

• Why go:  Take in Will al fresco as the Old Globe opens its new season of the Shakespeare Festival with a rotating schedule of three productions. Through Sept. 25. 

• Price: $30-$60 for A Chorus Line; $29-$85 for Shakespeare.

• Where/when: Maritime Museum, 1492 N Harbor Dr, San Diego, 9 a.m. Saturday.

• Why go: See the work of famous Impressionist Paul Gauguin, whose art was inspired by the time he spent in the South Pacific. The museum will feature the exhibit “Cook, Melville and Gauguin: Three Voyages to Paradise,” which also will include collections from Captain James Cook and writer Herman Melville. Continues through Jan. 1.

• Price: $10, plus regular museum admission of $7-$12.

• Where/when: Stone Brewing Co., 1999 Citracado Pkwy, Escondido, 8:30 p.m. Wednesday.

• Why go: The brewery opens its weekly summer movie series with The Big Lebowski, a nice laid-back way to begin the season, which continues through Aug. 31.

• Price: Free.