It’s special events and celebrities galore at this weekend’s Crocs Slam Bud Light Hermosa Beach Open presented by Virgin America, where fans will follow more than just one of the strongest fields the AVP has featured this season.

Big names such as NBA luminary Shaquille O’Neal, AVP icon Misty May-Treanor, and comedian Carlos Mencia will dominate the action surrounding main draw play.

Festivities kick off with the AVP’s $5 Friday. Fans can get $5 Courtside and General Admission tickets to Stadium Court and Feature Court 1 competition all day, highlighted by Kerri Walsh’s 2009 debut with Rachel Wacholder at 9 a.m.

Special events continue Saturday when the “Spike for HOPE” Celebrity Beach Volleyball Match immediately follows the women’s semifinals on Stadium Court. Through this event the AVP and its Hermosa Beach Open charity partner, PADRES Contra El Cancer, will raise money to generate awareness about childhood cancer within the beach community and help PADRES improve the quality of life for Latino children with cancer and their families. Comedian Carlos Mencia will serve as Master of Ceremonies for the match, scheduled to begin at approximately 11:45 a.m. Celebrities expected to play include Jordan Farmar, Camilla Belle, Scott Elrod, Jay Johnson, Alison Sweeney, and more.

Three more special events are slated for Sunday. First, a tribute to the late AVP standout Mike Whitmarsh beginning at 12:15 p.m. will lead into the men’s finals. Current AVP star Casey Jennings, former Whitmarsh teammate and current coach Mike Dodd, and wife Cindy Whitmarsh will speak in remembrance of “Whitty.”

Those in attendance for the Whitmarsh tribute and men’s final can plan to stick around Stadium Court for two additional exhibitions. At approximately 2:30 p.m. the USC-UCLA Challenge Match will culminate Rivalry Weekend at Hermosa Beach by pitting former Trojans and Bruins with AVP ties in a six-on-six coed battle for bragging rights.

Saving the best for last, perhaps, Shaq will take on May-Treanor and Walsh to cap off the entertainment-packed weekend. At approximately 4 p.m. Shaq will partner will Todd Rogers for the match, which will later air as an episode of his new ABC reality TV show “Shaq Vs.” The show pits Shaq against various elite athletes in a wide range of sports. Shaq and Rogers will play under ceremonial Coach Phil Dalhausser.

Shaq won’t be the only non-AVP athlete of note at Hermosa Beach. As part of USC-UCLA Weekend, Trojan and Bruin student-athletes will be at the tournament throughout the weekend.

As the summer and the action heat up at Hermosa Beach and beyond, create your own Volleyball Nation profile to connect with fans while you follow the AVP! Members can sound off in fan forums, share perspectives by uploading pictures and video, and unite in common interest groups. Volleyball Nation is the place for enthusiasts across the board to serve up and dig deep on all things volleyball.