The 28th annual Ocean Beach Street Fair and Chili Cook-Off returns to Newport Avenue on Saturday, June 23, for one of the most anticipated community traditions of the year.
Hosted by the Ocean Beach MainStreet Association (OBMA), the fair brings together an eclectic mix of visual arts, music, pony rides for children and, of course, Ocean Beach’s finest chili.
From Santa Monica Avenue south to Niagara Avenue and from Sunset Cliffs Boulevard to Abbott Street, more than 70,000 visitors are expected to walk through Ocean Beach and take in local art, participate in a prize raffle and choose from about 250 food and vendor booths from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m.
According to Ocean Beach MainStreet Association Executive Director Denny Knox, the money raised will help pay for Fourth of July fireworks at the Ocean Beach pier, which is expected to cost about $22,000.
Free shuttles will be running from 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. for easy access. Those parked near Robb Field or on SeaWorld Drive at Pacific Coast Highway can take a shuttle bus to and from the fair. Shuttles from SeaWorld Drive will run every hour, Knox said.
“Come for a long time, wear sunscreen, buy a T-shirt, help support the fireworks and other activities in Ocean Beach,” Knox said, “It’s fun. Everybody has a great time.”
Knox said about 22 chili cookers, with more on the way, have signed up to bring 10 gallons of chili each. Single-serving samples will be sold for a dollar each, but ticket packages for more than one taste, at a reduced cost, will be available that day, Knox said. Smart & Final contributes the “committee” chili, which will also be sold as part of the fund-raising effort.
Many will come for the hot chili and stay for the cool atmosphere as the daylong festivities include something for all.
Artist’s Alley features handmade creations from local and other well-known artists in the area.
The Peninsula Beacon will also host a booth where fairgoers will help judge the paper’s annual amateur photo contest.
The Wonderland children’s area features pony rides for younger children, while older children and active adults can try other rides at the Nicita Carnival located in three parking lots next to the Starbucks at Bacon Street and Newport Avenue.
Adults over 21 can relax at the Beachside Beer Garden and Liquorland, sponsored by Winston’s pub. The beer garden will be located next to the beach main stage at the end of Newport Avenue.
After getting their fill of chili, art and beer, fairgoers can take their chance at winning one of two $250 cash prizes and other prizes ranging from $25 gift certificates redeemable at local businesses, to two-night hotel vacation packages to Disneyland worth more than $600, Knox said.
But the fair and chili cook-off wouldn’t be complete without the music.
This year will bring the return of five live stages organized by hang-out spot, Winston’s Pub and local music promoter, Beach Music Mafia, Knox said.
A full lineup can be found at the Beach Music Mafia myspace page at www.myspace.com/beach musicmafia and on Page 19 of this edition.
Beach Music Mafia coordinator Chuck Schiele said the music plays a crucial role in the event and speaks to the musical backbone rooted deep in the collective psyche of Ocean Beach residents.
Schiele said an even mix from an applicant pool of 300 acts vying for one of the most popular Ocean Beach venues of the year provided no shortage of talent for this year’s stages. Of those, Schiele and others will have to fill five stages with about six acts per stage.
A few adjustments to the music venue include an expanded Blues stage with local bands not necessarily from Ocean Beach, but from the area.
Also, this year’s Artist’s Alley stage will have a cultural twist to it.
“It will have more of a multicultural feel to it to complement the art,” Schiele said about the stage, which traditionally has featured rock music.
This year’s Artist’s Alley stage line-up features music from groups and artists like Jalopy, Israel Maldonado and Middleastern flavor from Danyavaad and The Shimmy Sisters.
Schiele said last year’s 92107 stage, featuring music strictly from Ocean Beach, was a success and will return with acts including Deadline Friday, Shoestring Strap and, Schiele’s own The Grams.
The Ocean Beach Fair and Chili Cook-Off speaks to the unique style that envelopes OB and its residents.
The unique character nourishes local businesses, entrepreneurs and artists alike with a personality that has been molding itself over the last 15 years and even before then, Schiele said.
He said the annual event used to get pretty rowdy, but added that in recent years it has become a family-friendly event.
“You “¦ can still have a great time,” he said.
He said part of the fair’s charm used to be that that it was a little out of hand, he said. But when enough fights break out, it’s time to shape it up, he said.
The festival shows no signs of slowing down or going away. Schiele said the festival grows every year and may soon be the largest fair of its kind.
For additional information, visit www.oceanbeach.com.