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| Pescadero comes together for art and fun By Stacy Trevenon [ stacy@hmbreview.com ] Published/Last Modified on Wednesday, August 13, 2008 2:13 PM PDT This weekend, Pescadero’s artists, families, crafts lovers and kids turn out in force to celebrate the 18th annual Pescadero Arts and Fun Festival. It’s an extravaganza of crafts, food, kids’ activities, live entertainment, a fashion show and fun, in tandem with an exhibit of fine art by South Coast artists. It will run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 16, and Sunday, Aug. 17, on the I.D.E.S. grounds on Stage Road in the heart of Pescadero. Admission is free, and proceeds from a raffle and T-shirt sales benefit local youth programs. The festival is a focal point for Pescadero. “It’s so community,” said co-organizer Kellie Marcuson. “Everyone that’s involved with things happening in this town, pretty much shows up. “I’m awed by it. I love it.” Eighteen years ago the festival started with roughly 30 vendors and drew an estimated 500 visitors. From there it grew, until about six years ago, “we could hardly move,” said Marcuson. Organizers pulled back on advertising and honed their focus to quality, not quantity. “We didn’t want to get bigger, we want to get better,” Marcuson said. Now, with an estimated 3,000 to 5,000 visitors over the weekend, it seems she got her wish. Roughly 60 to 70 vendors from the Bay Area and as far as the American River, will display and sell wares. Crafts will range from woodworking, pottery, tie-dye and wearable art, toys, plants, jewelry and art like the work of young La Honda photographer Grace Modica. A three-year festival veteran, she specializes in unique images from nature and her travels. Food, prepared by local residents, will be available all day. It will include burgers to benefit South Coast schools sold by the Pescadero Education Fund. There will also be tri-tip sandwiches, smoked meats and tamales made by foundation members who get together and socialize as they cook. Those will benefit the education foundation. The sounds of music performed by familiar bands will waft over the festival on both days: On Saturday: Boss Tim and the Laylows, American fiddle music, 11:40 a.m. to 12:35 p.m.; Lighthouse, rock, 12:45 to 1:30 p.m.; This Way Up, reggae rock, 1:55 to 2:50 p.m.; Billy Talbot Band, rock, 3:15 to 4:05 p.m.; Blue, rock and blues, 4:30 to 5:20 p.m. On Sunday: Paula Brisker, rock and pop, 11:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; Mark Reid Band, folk rock, 12:55 to 1:45 p.m.; Mariachi Los Cachorros, 2 to 3 p.m.; The South Coast Children’s Services Fashion Show, 3:20 to 4 p.m.; D.B. Walker, blues and rock, 4:20 to 5:20 p.m.; Gary Gates Band, “Coastside dance” music, 5:40 to 6:40 p.m. There’s plenty to do for kids. Loma Mar mule “Johnny Appleseed” will be back to give free rides. The kids’ area will also contain remote-controlled car racing, face painting, K’NEX toys and a “take-apart” booth where curious young people can explore and take apart electronic devices. Some old favorites will be back this year: The fashion show, benefiting South Coast Children’s Services, is always popular. Its rib-tickling script will be performed by emcees Dee Harley and Janet Periat as local residents of all ages show off fashions from the SCCS thrift store. On Sunday morning, the third annual “Fun Run” invites adults and kids to hoof it in 5K and 10K jaunts on flat paths along Cloverdale Road, also to benefit the Pescadero Education Foundation. (To register for the run, visit active.com.) Pescadero resident and professional beekeeper and bird handler George Bristol will return with an assortment of birds. New things this year, said Marcuson, include a new postmark featuring “Paffy,” the festival’s trademark mascot dancing spotted cow, with which visitors can get letters stamped on Saturday. For information, call 897-0848 or visit pescaderoartsandfunfestival.com. |