FESTIVALS & EVENTS : Cornucopia of Chowder and Corn

If the Yiddish hadn’t coined the word schmaltz , it’s an even bet that some attendee of the San Clemente Fiesta would have invented a similar phrase.

A charming cornucopia of corn, the annual city festivities--anchored by a chowder cook-off and street festival--this year include:

* A magic show performed by that master of mysticism, Ronald McDonald.

* Martial arts shows by the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

* Knott’s Berry Farm’s Animal Friends. Animal trainers trot out a spotted African serval cat, an iguana and other critters. No word on whether Snoopy will show.

* Melvin Ratnam, billed as the Malaysian Cowboy.

* San Clemente’s own Sam Clam (Sam Clam(ente)--get it?), the almost-terrifying costumed mascot of the cook-off, who could easily moonlight in B pictures as The Creature That Ate . . . Anything.

Too big to be contained by a single weekend, the city festivities will run on two consecutive Sundays, starting this weekend at noon with the fourth annual San Clemente Chowder Cookoff at the San Clemente Pier.

Contestants whip up a batch of their best shellfish soup with the public able to sample the product by purchasing tasting kits ($5 for eight tastings). Judges include heavyweights from the hotel dining circuit, such as chefs for the Ritz-Carlton in Dana Point and the Town & Country Hotel in San Diego. This year’s entrants include chowders from the Rose and Crown, Tropicana Bar and Grill, and Samaritan Medical Center.

Aug. 11, most of the above-mentioned entertainment will be amusing the 20,000 or so expected to assemble for the fourth annual San Clemente Street Festival. They will be joined by clowns, mariachis, a barbershop quartet and other local talent.

A 5-K run kicks of the day beginning at 8 a.m. Entry is $17 per person and is open to anyone--there’s even a baby stroller division. The festival starts at 9:30 a.m. along Avenida del Mar, featuring food booths, game booths, a Salsa Challenge and a Diaper Derby (baby-crawling) contest. The festival extends down Avenida del Mar to Avenida Seville.

Organizers are advising festival-goers both days to use a free shuttle service from the San Clemente High School parking lot at 700 Avenida Pico.

What: Fourth annual San Clemente Fiesta.

When: Chowder cook-off is Sunday, Aug. 4, noon to 1:30 p.m.; street festival is Aug. 11, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Where: Chowder cook-off is at the San Clemente Municipal Pier, off Avenida del Mar; street festival runs along Avenida del Mar.

Whereabouts: Free shuttle transportation on both days of the fiesta is available from the parking lot at 700 Avenida Pico. To get there, take the Avenida Pico exit off the Santa Ana Freeway, go east one block.

Wherewithal: Tickets for the chowder cook-off are $5 for eight tastings; admission to the street festival is free.

Where to Call: (714) 492-1131.