The summer of 2009 will mark the 30th anniversary of this historic event. This year’s attractions include vendor booths with food and crafts, the “Wonderland Children’s Area,” five stages with musical acts, and the highly-regarded chili cook-off. There will also be a community mural project, a skateboard exhibition, and a beer garden.
Newport Avenue – Artist’s Alley and Vendor Booths
Each year during the fair, Newport Avenue is lined with booths where vendors sell food and goods of every kind. The booths also extend to the side streets where artisans sell handmade arts and crafts, such as jewelry, purses, clothing, and even home-made soap. When it comes to the food, the selection is just as varied. Whether vegetarian or carnivore, the fair will not disappoint.
Wonderland Children’s Area
This area features rides and games for kids. There are inflatable slides, mazes, and even pony rides (the child must weigh less than 100 pounds to sit on the ponies). And, lest the teens and adults feel left out, a special area of carnival rides for the young (or the young at heart) will be located in the three parking lots near the Starbucks.
Music at the OB Street Fair
While the food and games are nice, it wouldn’t be the street fair without live music. This year, there will be five stages that will feature a variety of musical acts. These stages include the Main Stage, the Artist’s Alley Stage, the 92107 Stage, the Bacon Street Sun Stage, and the Wonderland Acoustic Stage. Each area will showcase music from a slightly different genre, so there will be something for everyone. Be on the look-out for acts with creative names such as Jimmy Dean and the Sausage Kings, the Hip Replacements, and Beerfeet.
As an added bonus this year, the first-ever OB CD will be released. The CD is appropriately entitled “Waves,” and it features the talents of many local OB musicians. This CD will be available for purchase at the festival, so don’t pass up the opportunity to support budding artists in the community!
Ocean Beach Street Fair Chili Cook-Off
For many festival goers, though, the chili cook-off is the highlight of the day. Teams compete for the honor of having the best chili, and the competition can be quite fierce. Last year, 25 teams competed for the top spot.
This year, the Chili Cook-Off will take place in the grassy area at the foot of Newport (between Santa Monica Avenue and Newport). Those interested in sampling the chili can buy individual tickets to do so or they can buy a “People’s Choice” ticket for $10 that will allow them to sample all of the different types of chili available.
The People’s Choice sampling will play heavily into deciding the competition. According to the rules, the chili will be judged on consistency, taste, color, smell, and the tenderness of the meat (if it is used). Entrants compete to win the favor of both the judges and the crowd, and in the end, two cash awards are given. One award is conveyed by the judges and the second is given in the form of a “People’s Choice Award.” These honors will be given out on the Main Stage at 3:30 p.m. There will also be non-cash awards for the Best Theme or Decoration, the Best 92107 Entry, the Hottest Chili, and the Most Spirited (Judge’s Special Award).
OB Street Fair Logistics
This year’s fair will take place on Saturday, June 27th from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Festival organizers are expecting more than 70,000 visitors throughout the day, so be sure to plan ahead when it comes to transportation and parking. The fair itself is free, and there are also complimentary shuttles. Please see the website for more information regarding the logistics. Here's to the 30th anniversary of this famed San Diego event!
Kristin Krogh - As a native of Southern California, Kristin has spent the majority of her life basking in seventy degree weather. When wanderlust finally ...
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