Around her, scores of people milled munching barbecue or dancing to the music throbbing from the nearby stage. The unusually mellow weather inspired the crowd to don shorts, tanks tops, summer dresses and smiles, and come to one of the most successful Rock the Block events ever.
“I’ve been pouring beer here for all four years and this is by far the busiest,” said Robb Fox of Half Moon Bay from a beverage booth.
 Caitlin Agosti, Callie Pacheco, Elizabeth Menzel and Stephanie Menzel (from left to right) eat dinner on the curb outside Cunha'€™s Country Grocery during Rock the Block festivities on Friday. |
All ages turned out, listening to music from the stage outside Cunha’s Country Grocery, visiting the food court or stepping into shops whose doors were open into the night. Parents pushed children in strollers and toddlers danced in front of the stage.
“We love it,” said Coastsider Michele Lowings, strolling Main Street with husband John and their 2- and 4-year-old children. “The kids have so much fun.”
Teens hung out in front of Cunha’s or in its parking lot, where Half Moon Bay Golf Links personnel promoted the upcoming LPGA Samsung World Championship tournament with a putting contest.
“It’s like high school all over,” said Brittney Boyd, 17, of Half Moon Bay. “Everyone hangs out in front of Cunha’s. I see people I haven’t seen for a while.”
In the City Hall parking lot, Cameron Palmer beamed at children romping with kids’ activities, or gaping at “Benny Hill,” the dromedary from Long Branch Ranch.
“This has been a tremendous, exciting, fun local event,” Palmer said. “I’m on Cloud 9.”
Along Main Street, local businesses and nonprofits introduced their organizations while imbibing the atmosphere.
“Tonight was an absolutely fabulous opportunity,” said Chrysann Rudig from her Abundance skin care studio booth. “I felt like I had given a party and all my friends came.”
The evening was largely peaceful, with only a couple of alcohol-related altercations, said Half Moon Bay Police Capt. Michael O’Malley.
It was pretty good for McHugh, too. “I thought it was really terrific,” she said. “It was what we hoped the event would be about: seeing your friends and neighbors, enjoying good music, good food, someplace for kids to go, something fun to do — and the weather didn’t hurt.”
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