‘CityFest goes pop’

By Ken Williams | Editor

Thirty-one years ago, in the summer of 1984, Hillcrest residents and business owners got together to celebrate the relighting of the beloved Hillcrest sign on University and Fifth. They called it CityFest.

Who knew that CityFest would turn into a huge celebration of the Hillcrest community, now attracting an estimated 150,000 people from all across the West Coast to enjoy food, beer, music, arts and crafts?

CG081411(CityFest)015webtop — CityFest returns Aug. 9 and is expected to draw 150,000 visitors. (Courtesy of CityFest and Hillcrest Business Association)

CityFest returns this year on Sunday, Aug. 9, running from noon to 11 p.m. in the heart of Hillcrest.

The Mama’s Kitchen fundraiser, “Dunk a Drag” returns (Courtesy of CityFest and Hillcrest Business Association)

So what’s new this year?

“We are calling this year ‘CityFest goes pop,’ referring to everyone’s favorite summertime treat … the popsicle,” said Megan Gamwell, marketing and communications program manager of CityFest sponsor Hillcrest Business Association. “We are teaming up with Viva Pops to do 300 popsicle giveaways around the neighborhood leading up to CityFest to help get everyone excited. We will be posting our popsicle giveaway locations on our Facebook page: Facebook.com/CityFest.”

Gamwell is relatively new to the HBA and CityFest, but she is helping usher in new ideas.

“This marks my third CityFest with the HBA. Over the past few years I have seen the event grow to include more of the arts,” she said. “Last year, and again this year, we are incorporating multiple artist alleys where local artists will be painting, sculpting, designing and sketching live throughout the event. The artist alley has almost doubled in size compared to last year with over 50 artists already committed.”

Musical acts will appear throughout the day (Courtesy of CityFest and Hillcrest Business Association)

Gamwell shared her views on why CityFest has become such a popular attraction.

“I think CityFest has become such a ‘big deal’ in the community because it embodies the true meaning of community, fun with family and friends, and summertime!” she said.

“CityFest has been a staple in this community for over 30 years and for most people it’s a summertime tradition. Between the carnival rides, Furry Fosters petting zoo, live music, ‘Dunk a Drag’ (a fundraiser for Mama’s Kitchen), the beer garden, and street fair foods and crafts, there is something for everyone.”

Events during the daylight hours tend to cater to children and their families, and when the sun goes down the attention turns to the adults with dance music from some of the best DJs in town.

Hillcrest’s live music venue, The Merrow, has also got in on the good vibrations, assembling a live music lineup of We Are Sirens, The Verigolds, Perro Bravo, Cumbia Machin, Saint Diego, Viva Apollo and Social Club that’ll run throughout the day.

Events include a waterslide (Courtesy of CityFest and Hillcrest Business Association)

And, according to the HBA, this year’s festival will include:

The 31st annual CityFest, sponsored by the Hillcrest Business Association, will be on Sunday, Aug. 9. Proceeds help maintain the iconic Hillcrest sign and
beautify the neighborhood. (Courtesy of CityFest and Hillcrest Business Association)

More than 250 artisans and crafters from across the country

An international food court
A waterslide
A kids’ zone
A Furry Fosters petting “zoo”
Over six blocks of fun
Local bands and DJs
A beer garden for ages 21-and-older (beer provided by Budweiser)

For more information on CityFest, visit Facebook.com/CityFest or at HillcrestCityFest.com. Or call 619-299-3330. Proceeds from CityFest go towards the upkeep of the Hillcrest sign and beautification projects in Hillcrest.

—Ken Williams is editor of Uptown News and Mission Valley News and can be reached at [email protected] or at 619-961-1952.