Fred Thompson knows that good things often come in small packages. An avid ukulele player and co-producer of this year’s San Diego Ukulele Festival, he is well aware of the power of this strange little instrument. “I have been playing the ukulele since 1938. I play it everyday because you can’t play a sad song on one,” said the 77-year-old. “I know so many people that consider themselves depressed and take medication to help them cope. I say, ‘Put those pills down!’ and I start to play them a song on my ukulele. And you know what? They smile. Then they ask me if anyone can play. So I give them the ukulele and begin to teach them a few songs. Within minutes they are playing their first musical instrument in their lives and saying ‘This is the most fun I’ve had in years!’” Thompson will get plenty of chances to prove that claim at the festival, being held at NTC Liberty Station July 14-16. This weekend’s event headliners are world-renowned Jake Shimabukuro and James Hill, the Eric Clapton and Eddie Van Halen of the ukulele world. The festival will also feature ukulele craftsmen, workshops, giveaways, fire dancers and hula performances. Additional performances will be put on by Ukulele Bartt, Derick Sebastian and, of course, Fred Thompson and the Ukulele Orchestra of Southern California.  Not sure what do to this weekend? Come on down to the Ukulele Festival at NTC Liberty Station because, if you have never seen live ukulele, I promise you’ll feel like it’s Christmas in July. For additional information, visit www.sandiego- ukefestival.com or email Fred at ukulelefred@- cox.net