Adopt a Pet, Paddle a Boat, Watch Windsurf Champs: Lots of Free Events Around the Bay This Weekend

Ditch the chores this weekend and have some fun — there's a lot happening, especially for families, and many events are free. 

Get a dog, a cat or even a reptile: The East Bay SPCA is sponsoring a major animal adoptathon Sunday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Jack London Square in Oakland. With over 20 animal shelters and rescue groups taking part, there will be more than 100 adoptable animals to choose from. Even if you aren't looking for a new, furry addition to your family, you may enjoy the kids' zone, police K-9 demonstrations, and displays of wares from local animal boutiques. $20 micro-chipping will be available.

Take to the water: If you're in Oakland on Saturday, you might head over to Lake Merritt, where the city's boating center at 568 Bellevue Ave. will be offering and hosting water safety games for kids and teens.

Watch 'em windsurf: The U.S. Windsurfing National Championships wind up Saturday at  the Berkeley Marina. Check for details.

Get arty, on the cheap: If you've ever wanted to visit SFMOMA (San Francisco's Museum of Modern Art) — and you have kids ages 12 and under — now is the time. The museum is offering free admission to families Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday is always family day at SFMOMA, and free for kids, but the usual adult admission price is $18. This weekend's family open house includes art activities and an exhibit of designs from the Doodle 4 Google student art contest. Sorry, free admission does not include entry to the museum's current major exhibition, The Steins Collect, but there's lots else to see.

Clean up: Hayward Shoreline Interpretive Center offers kids ages 4 and up a chance to help the environment by picking up litter on the trail on Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. It's free, but you'll need to sign up in advance. Check HARD's summer brochure for details of the "Shoreline Trash Takers." You may download a copy here. You can now register online for HARD programs. (If you've never registered online for a HARD class before, call 510-881-6700 before 5 p.m. Friday to activate your account.)

Roast a marshmallow: Saturday is campfire night at Sulphur Creek Nature Center, a summertime tradition at the wildlife rehabilitation center in Hayward. From 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., families with children ages 2 to 12 can visit with some nocturnal animals, make a craft, explore the trail and, yes, roast marshmallows. It's $10 per child, and you'll need to register in advance with HARD for "Campfire Nights I." See the item above for links.

Stick close to home: In case you missed them in the San Lorenzo Patch calendar and stories, here are some other weekend doings to check out. Click on the links to see details.

• Enjoy family fun at
• Watch the perform his magic tricks
• Take your preschoolers to Saturday storytime at the San Lorenzo Library
• And, of course, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part II is showing this weekend at local theaters, including Century Theatres at Hayward and Century 16 Bayfair.