The 3rd annual Pleasure Point Street Fair on Saturday, June 27 is a bustling, fun-filled extravaganza for the entire family. Located in the heart of Pleasure Point, an area renowned for its local surf scene, the fair will take place on Portola Drive between 41st and 38th Avenues in Santa Cruz. The fun starts at 11 a.m. Admission is free.
“The fair reflects the unique and vibrant character of the Pleasure Point community, and this year’s event will be bigger and better,” said David Adams, president of the Pleasure Point Business Association, which sponsors the event.
A number of local bands will play throughout the day on two street bandstands, showcasing a wide variety of musical styles, from reggae to rock to funk. Acts include: The Shoreline Summer Band (jazz, rock, funk), The Shapes (Americana), Ancestree (roots reggae), The Spell with Babel Brothers (soulful rock), Nomalakadoja (reggae), Gary Gates Band (rock), U-Turn (rock/country), El Cuadro Verde (surf-fusion-jazz-rock) and this year’s NEXTIE winner, Coffee Zombie Collective (rock). A complete music schedule can be found at Pleasure Point Street Fair.
In addition to music, there will be plenty of activities in which to take part. New this year is “Dunk-a-Surfer,” sponsored by the Surfrider Foundation and a skateboard contest hosted by Santa Cruz Boardroom. Children will find their fair share of fun with crafts, face painting, and a photo booth. Kids between 3-8 years old can also head across the street (after looking both ways, of course) to play in June Bugs Gym for only $10 an hour.
For those who are looking to support local businesses, the fair will have more than 75 vendors selling arts, crafts, and local services.
Last but certainly not least, like any good street fair there will be plenty of great local food and drink to choose from; vendors include, New Leaf Community Markets, East Side Eatery, Zemeen Mediterranean Cuisine, Lucy’s Hot Dogs, The Point Chophouse, Surf City Sandwiches, and India Gourmet.
There will also be “traditional” fair food like Dippin’ Dots, organic cotton candy, ice cream, and kettle corn. New Bohemia Brewing Company, which opened in Capitola in April, will offer traditional European-style craft lagers and pale ales in a specially designated Beer Garden, and for the first time wine will also be available, courtesy of Bonny Doon Vineyards.
Info: Pleasure Point Street Fair, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday, June 27. Free. Photo: Coffee Zombie Collective
