This Weekend in SD: Races, Comic-Con and Another Beer Festival

This weekend has a little something for everyone in San Diego, including Comic-Con for the comic book lovers, a trendy art exhibit for those who appreciate art and a beer festival for the alcohol enthusiast. Plus, most events are happening all weekend long, so San Diegans can enjoy all of the wonderful things to do.

Del Mar Racetrack Opening Day

Del Mar Thoroughbred Horse Racing is back for its 72nd season, kicking off with Opening Day festivities on July 20 and running throughSeptember 7, 2011. The spectacle is expected to bring in more than 40,000 attendees, participating in the “One and Only Truly Fabulous Hat Contest.” This annual tradition encourages all genders to to buy or create crazy hats to compete for prizes. This year there is also an Opening Day party at the Coors Light Trackside Pavilion within the Stretch Run, featuring live music by Common Sense in between races. Almost equal in excitement are the Opening Day after parties. This year’s hottest bashes will be held at Burlap Del Mar,L’Auberge Del Mar, Flavor Del Mar, Club M at Grand Del Mar, and Bar West in Pacific Beach.

Comic Con

While tickets for this annual event are hard to come by, comic book lovers can still enjoy some of the festive atmosphere by taking a trolley downtown and watch the costumed patrons walk around. Some might even be lucky enough to gain access to an after party, such as The Marked Men Party III, held on Friday. It’s one of the largest con parties returning for another year, this time on top of the HMS Providence, an actual ship from the Pirates of the Caribbean films. Pirate themed happenings, music, drinks, and a huge dance floor are the usual features of this SDCC favorite.

America’s Finest Beer Festival

This fun festival will take place Friday through Saturday at Qualcomm Stadium. Local favorites such as Karl Strauss, Oggi’s, La Jolla Brewing Company and PB Alehouse will all be present as some of the 120 breweries set to make an appearance, as well as other national brands such as Bay Bridge Brew Company, Hoppy Brewing Company and Santa Cruz Ale Works. Tickets for each day are $35 for admittance only or $49 for admittance plus 12 beer-tasting tickets. Live bands will also be performing each day.

Girls Got A Face Like Murder

Artist Andrew Saul draws heavily upon icons of femininity, mostly those portrayed in media such as magazines and TV shows, in his latest collection “Girls Got a Face Like Murder.” Saul’s elaborate eye-catching paintings mesh a bit of pop-art and splattered mess onto large canvases. The exhibition of new works comes to downtown San Diego on Thursday at 6 p.m. Saul will present his pieces at an embellished warehouse space on Island Avenue, infused with live DJ music, bar and limited edition giveaways.

Movies released this weekend:

Captain America: The First Avenger

Friends With Benefits

A Little Help (Limited)

Another Earth (Limited)

Sarah’s Key (Limited)