What better harbinger of spring than the...

What better harbinger of spring than the return of the beach festival to the local shore? BeachFest ’91 makes its 10th appearance at Shoreline Park in Long Beach the weekend of March 23 and 24. Along with it comes funny cars, ugly dogs, dragsters, Navy cakes, Miss Chili Pepper and Mr. Hot Sauce, among other oddities, personalities and motorized entertainment vehicles.

Saturday will feature a jazz and blues festival with Alan Broadbent and Conte Candoli and their bands, both formerly with the Woody Herman Band; Harold Land, a West Coast hard bopper who played with the Max Roach-Clifford Brown quintet; rhythm and blues saxophonist Big Jay McNeely; Ernie Andrews of the Capp/Pierce Juggernaut; and Roy (Guitar) Gaines, a frequent sideman with Junior Parker, Albert King, Coleman Hawkins and T-Bone Walker.

Other Saturday events: A Navy-sponsored cake decorating contest, comedy and car shows all for $10 in advance or $15 at the gate. Or, pay $30 in advance ($40 at the gate) and get unlimited samples of local restaurant food and wine, plus admission to the day’s events.

On March 24, judges will anoint Miss Chili Pepper and Mr. Hot Sauce, pigs will race, ugly dogs will compete and yet-unnamed celebrities will stage a (very) mini-Indy 500. Ticket prices are $10 at the gate or $8 in advance. Early risers can compete in a 10-kilometer run at 8 a.m. Registration ranges from $7 to $15, depending on whether it is early or late and the runner orders a commemorative T-shirt.

BeachFest proceeds go to local charities, including an adopt-a-pet program, a neighborhood track and field team and the Special Olympics.

Festival hours are Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with discounts for senior citizens, children and military members. Parking is off Shoreline Drive in the Convention Center parking lot. Phone: 436-7727.