Menlo Park’s summer street fair will sport a new look
Menlo Summerfest in coming to Santa Cruz Avenue on July 16-17, replacing Connoisseurs’ Marketplace, the downtown festival organized by the Chamber of Commerce over a successful 29 year run.
“We felt the time was right to rebrand and revitalize the festival, enliven and freshen up our offerings, and we’re all excited about the improvements and changes which reverberate across all aspects of the festival,” said Fran Dehn, President/CEO of the Menlo Park Chamber of Commerce.
Some of the re-branded components and changes include:
Tropical Vibrations: The focus is on a tropical, summery sound, including expanding to two stages (Soundwaves Stage in Fremont Park and Aloha Stage at El Camino) plus four street musician locations throughout downtown.
Summerfest Cool Down Concert: From 5:00 to 7:00 pm in Fremont Park, the Tom Petty Tribute band, Petty Theft, takes the stage on Saturday.
Mobile Eats: A re-modeling of the food component with several new vendors, a different mix and greater variety of menu offerings utilizing food trucks and food booths.
Deelish Drink: For the first time, signature Summerfest cocktails plus margaritas made from fresh fruit purees – mango, strawberry, cucumber jalapeno and traditional lime – plus premium fine wine and seasonal craft beer.
Artsplash: Pacific Fine Arts Festivals brings its diverse lineup of professional artists and fine craftmakers to showcase their work with many new artists (more than 20%). Plus, the new “Summer Vibes” art contest among festival artists with $1,000 in prizes offered.
Super Duper Kidz Funzone: Features include an ultra-thrilling bungee jump, wild and wacky waterballerz, a rock climbing wall, caricature artists, super cool face painting and henna tattoos, exotic French hair braiding, and a huge Kiddieland area packed with carnival style rides.
Savory City: An array of artisan-produced specialty food sprinkled throughout the event provides an opportunity to sample and purchase small-batch, handcrafted edibles as well as meet and chat with the actual producers.
Summerfest Hot Fun Run: Fleet Feet Menlo Park is sponsoring the Hot Fun Run on Sunday, July 17, adding to the lineup of Summerfest events.
Menlo Summerfest runs July 16-17 from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm on Santa Cruz Avenue from El Camino Real to Johnson Street in Menlo Park. Admission and parking are free.
