48th Annual Cabrillo Festival brings history to life as a ship and crew arrive on land, bringing “Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo” to shore at Ballast Point to re-enact the historic arrival of the Spanish in California nearly 470 years ago. The celebration on Saturday, October 1 and Sunday, October 2, 2011, launches with a concert by Navy Band Southwest Brass Ensemble. Afterward, Kumeyaay Wildcat Songs by Jon Meza Cuero and the Aukas and a keynote speech by Spanish Ambassador Enrique Ruiz Molero launch the day of fun.

The main event of the festival is the Open House on Sunday, October 2, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Cabrillo Festival Open House at Ballast Point, believed to be the actual location where Cabrillo landed on September 28, 1542, is located on Naval Base Point Loma, at the south end of Rosecrans Street. Admission is free.

The Cabrillo Festival Open House features colorful dancing, storytelling and music from Mexico, Native America, Portugal and Spain. This event features Mexican, Native American, Portuguese and Spanish food; Kumeyaay basket weaving; a living history encampment, where 16th century Spanish soldiers demonstrate the arms, armor, implements and daily life; and the popular re-enactment of Cabrillo's historic landing at Ballast Point at 1 p.m.