Time for fun in Pescadero
By Stacy Trevenon--[ stacy@hmbreview.com ]
Published/Last Modified on Wednesday, August 15, 2007 2:00 PM PDT

Once again, the sleepy junction of Stage Road and Highway 84 in Pescadero will come to colorful life this weekend with the 17th annual Pescadero Arts & Fun Festival, known as PAFF.

The fair will begin with a reception for the art show that helped give it its name (see next article). Then it will continue through the weekend with food, crafts, live music and a strong sense of community. "For sure, this brings everyone together," said organizer Kellie Marcuson. "Such a community thing. Everyone comes out of the woodwork."

The free fair benefits programs such as the South Coast children's services and schools, through sales of T-shirts and a raffle of stays at local inns and meals at local eateries.

There's lots of the fun everyone is accustomed to, but there are many new things this year too.

As usual, in Paffy's Kid Korral, young visitors will see the usual games, make candles, flutes and finger puppets, enjoy comedy, magic and juggling onstage, or take a free ride on local mule Johnny Appleseed. He's owned by local resident Jane Mauss and comes out for the fun.

But they'll also get a chance to ogle NASCAR driver Jason Leffler's No. 38 car, which is making a stop by the fair.

Food booths will offer barbecue, tamales prepared by the Pescadero Education Foundation, pizza and the famous tri-tip and mushroom sandwiches. Other booths will offer an array of crafts, many made by South Coast artisans, all juried since applicants have grown over the past five years, said Marcuson.

The selection includes jewelry, stone or mosaic garden plaques, puppets, silly hats, pottery, clothing including tie-dye, toys and more.

Special visitors include George Bristol of Pescadero with his bird of prey, and an environmental presentation by Bee Busters.

The schedule of live entertainment is as follows:

• Saturday, Aug. 18: David Elias, original folk rock, 11:50 a.m.; Hapana Marimba Ensemble, marimba, 12:55 p.m.; Lighthouse, rock, 1:55 p.m.; the Billy Talbot (former bassist for Neil Young's Crazy Horse band) Rock Band, 3 p.m.; This Way Up, reggae, 4:05 p.m.; Blue Blues, rock, 5:20 p.m.;

• Sunday, Aug. 19: Paula Brisker, original rock and pop, 11:45 a.m.; Mark Reid, folk rock, 12:55 p.m.; Mariachi Los Cachorros, mariachi, 2 p.m.; Lieben McDermott, comedy, 3:20 p.m.; the South Coast Children's Services fashion show, 3:30 p.m.; DB Walker, blues, rock, 4:20 p.m.; Gary Gates Band, rock for dancing, 5:40 p.m.

This is the first year the fair has gone on without the operational organizing skills of co-founder Debbie Bennett, who died in February. Bennett ran organizational meetings, maintained lists and served as an overall organizer, said Marcuson.

She added that many of those duties are now being taken over by Bennett's 24-year-old daughter, Alicia, a Pescadero resident. "She is dedicated in trying to fill that gap," said Marcuson.

For information on PAFF, call Marcuson at 879-0848.

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