STREET FAIRS : Call it a Faire or a fair, it spells fun for thousands in San Pedro and Lomita

OK, South Bay, it’s time to pound the pavement.

Organizers of two local street fairs this weekend are predicting more than 40,000 visitors will take to the streets of San Pedro and Lomita to enjoy music, rides, a petting zoo, pony rides, games, food and other attractions.

Headlining the 8th Annual San Pedro Faire will be three-time platinum recording artist Brenton Wood. Wood, who grew up in San Pedro, rose to stardom in the ‘60s and ‘70s with such hits as “Gimme a Little Sign,” “Oogum Boogum Song” and “Baby, You Got It.” Wood recently released a new album called “That’s the Deal.”

Wood will share the stage with San Pedro native Debbie Flowers and the Del Rubio triplets, who have appeared on such shows as “Pee-wee’s Playhouse” and “Inside Edition.”

“I love performing at the Faire every year because it gives me a chance to see so many of the real people in our community who don’t get a chance to get out to the clubs at night,” Flowers said. “San Pedro has such a wide diversity of ethnic cultures and they all seem to come out to the street fair.”

Also performing at San Pedro’s one-day street fair are: the Longhorns, Music Express, American Youth Express, the Dixie Disciples and Ballet Folklorico.

In addition to the music, the Faire boasts a kids’ court with pony rides, petting zoo, a food court, rides, and more than 120 exhibitors showcasing their art, crafts and wares. San Pedro’s new downtown trolley, which is expected to be operational in October, also will be on display.

“The Street Faire is a day of fun and festivity for the whole community,” said Faire promotions chairwoman Janet Gunter. “It draws thousands of visitors into our historic downtown area and plays an important role in enhancing our image.”

For the third year in a row at the Faire, you can get a trim at Salon Papaleo for $15. Proceeds from the Cut-A-Thon will benefit the San Pedro Peninsula Hospital Foundation. Several members of the Los Angeles Raiderettes and the current Miss California, Shauna Searles, will be sporting hair designs by salon owner Alan Papaleo.

The San Pedro Street Faire is sponsored by the San Pedro Revitalization Corp. and is its only fund-raiser.

The 10th Annual Lomita Fair offers a slightly different but equally entertaining version of a community gathering than its San Pedro neighbor. For starters, the Lomita fair is spelled without an ‘e’ and lasts three days.

The fair will feature rides, games, international food booths, a kiddieland, bingo, hourly cash drawings and a raffle with a 1992 Mercury Tracer station wagon as first prize. Ronald McDonald is scheduled to make an appearance at 2 p.m. Sunday.

“It’s a time for the community to get together,” said Paula Rooks of the Lomita Fair committee. “It’s a great family outing.”

Proceeds from the fair go toward lowering tuition costs for students at St. Margaret Mary Catholic School.

* San Pedro Street Faire; 6th Street between Palos Verdes Street and Pacific Avenue; starts at 10 a.m.; information: San Pedro Revitalization Corp . (310) 833-8278 (free).

* Cut-A-Thon-- Haircuts to benefit San Pedro Peninsula Hospital; Salon Papaleo, 479 W . 6th Street, San Pedro; 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday; information: (310) 514-5338 ($15).

* Lomita Fair-- Proceeds go toward lowering tuition costs at St. Margaret Mary Catholic School; 255th Street and Eshelman Avenue, Lomita; 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, noon to 9 p.m. Sunday; information: (310) 540-4122 (free).