If you need an excuse to dig into some tasty tacos this weekend, the 5th Annual L.A. Taco Festival is just the place for you! On Saturday, August 22, Grand Park will serve as the festival venue from noon until 7 p.m. with an assortment of the food us southern Californian’s love so much.

For the record, I’m a southern girl (originally from Memphis, Tennessee) but a true foodie at heart, and tacos have always been a favorite of mine. Whether they are fish, shrimp, chicken, beef, veggie — I enjoy pretty much any kind!

Now if you’d like to know who’s behind the event, Jovenes Inc. is the non-profit responsible for organizing the LA Taco Festival and transforming the lives of homeless youth between the ages of 18-25. Since the first taco fest in 2011, Jovenes has tripled their housing capacity now offering a home to more than 60 young men and women at a time. Who knew eating tacos could benefit such a good cause?!

Admission to the event is free, and all taco proceeds will support housing for the vagrant youth. After you’ve stuffed your face with all the tacos you can eat, check out live performances from Latin-Afro band, Quinta Penas and DJs from LA Junta and Power 106.

Photo of delicious chicken tacos via the LA Taco Festival Official Facebook. Yum!

Also happening at Grand Park Saturday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. is The Proud Picnic, a part of Grand Park’s Proud Series. Join the LBTQ community, families and individuals as they celebrate love for all. You can avoid Saturday traffic and get to both events easily by taking the Metro Red Line to Civic Center/Grand Park Station. Hope to see you there!

More transit adjacent events for our not so taco-happy riders to enjoy:

1. Friday Wine Tastings at Barnsdall Art Park and Hollyhock House (Metro Red Line to Vermont/Sunset Station)
2. Nisei Week Japanese Festival. This Saturday and Sunday at the Japanese American Cultural Community Center (Metro Gold Line to Little Tokyo/Arts District Station)
3. Chinatown Summer Nights. Saturday from 5 p.m. to midnight, presented by KCRW and LA Chinatown. Admission is free! (Metro Gold Line to Chinatown Station)
4. LA Latin Jazz & Music Festival. At Sycamore Grove Park on Saturday from noon to 7 p.m. Go Metro and save 10% on food and more! (Metro Gold Line to Southwest Museum Station)
5. FYF Fest! Go Metro and receive a free water and gift! (Metro Expo line to Expo/Vermont Station)

……..and as always, more links to help you get around town via Metro.

• Google Maps transit directions
• All Metro bus and rail maps and timetables
• Metro system map
• Fares and TAP card info
• How to Ride
• Nextrip real-time bus and train arrival