72 HOURS

1. PARTY STREET: The 3300 block of Bristol Street could easily be

renamed Party Street. Borders Books, Music & Cafe at South Coast Plaza

will kick off a two-day reopening celebration and fund-raiser from 7 to 9

p.m. today in conjunction with the Bridge of Gardens debut festivities,

which will continue through Oct. 8. The store is at 3333 Bear St., Costa

Mesa. (714) 556-1185.

2. BE HAPPY, BE IRISH: An Irish festival will be held from 10 a.m. to

7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the picnic grounds and Arlington Theater at

the Orange County Fair & Exposition Center. $12.50 for adults, $10 for

seniors 62 and older and students 13 to 26, and free for children 12 and

younger. (714) 284-9558.

3. AND THAT IS A FACT: The “Cat in the Hat” is one of those books

that, strangely enough, gets better with age? Professional storyteller

Peggy Armenta will tell “Cat in the Hat” stories and lead games at 1 p.m.

Sunday at Borders Books, Music & Cafe, 3333 Bear St., Costa Mesa.

Children also can meet the “Cat in the Hat” character and pose with him

for photos. (714) 432-7854.