A week of activities that begins with a prayer service tomorrow, sports competitions through the week and culminates in an entertainment-filled festival on Saturday is planned for the annual Samoan Cultural Celebration in Oceanside.

Local Samoan leaders say North County, particularly Oceanside, has one of the largest populations of Samoans outside the islands themselves. The cultural celebration has traditionally coincided with the Fourth of July. But this year, city officials asked the organizers to delay the event as a way to manage the crowds.

The opening prayer service is scheduled for 3 p.m. tomorrow at the Melba Bishop Recreation Center, 5306 North River Road.

Monday is family night with social activities planned from 6 to 9 p.m. in the center. The event is free and open to the public.

Also on Monday at 6:30 p.m., a softball tournament will start at Melba Bishop Park. Both men's and women's competition will be held.

At 6:30 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, a basketball competition for middle and high school youths will be held at the center.

On Thursday, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., a volleyball tournament is planned with both men's and women's teams participating. All-stars from Oceanside and North County as well as those from high schools and colleges in San Diego, Long Beach and Temecula will compete.

On Friday, a faith-based outreach to youths and their families is scheduled from 5:30 to 9 p.m. at th city's beachfront amphitheater at the foot of Mission Avenue.

On Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., a youth football camp will be held for youngsters ages 8 to 14 at El Camino High School, 400 Rancho del Oro Drive. Promoters plan this as an annual event. Professional football players of Samoan ancestry are expected to participate.

The concluding event will be held from noon to 9:30 p.m. Saturday in the beach amphitheater with food, music and entertainment.

Headline performing band/dance troupes include Taupou Samoa, which will compete this summer in a Pacific Islands festival in American Samoa, and recording artists Sons of Manasseh

Lola Sherman: (760) 476-8241; lola.sherman@uniontrib.com