MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. – Spring is in full bloom,
bringing with it gorgeous weather, large doses of hope, optimism and the Bay
Area’s popular outdoor festival circuit. Festival season around the Bay
officially springs into action on May 21-22 in
Mountain View, California, where hip, walkable Castro Street will be
transformed into a movable feast of people and colorful tents for the 15th
Annual A La Carte & Art. Thousands of visitors are expected to gather in
Silicon Valley’s epicenter for this vibrant celebration of the arts.
Presented by the Mountain View Central
Business Association, the open-air festival will feature two days of live
music, a fine arts and crafts show with 200 talented exhibitors showing their
latest handcrafted wares, artisan specialty food purveyors, health and wellness
displays, an organic and green products showcase, home and garden exhibits,
festive food and drink with premium wine, microbrews and margaritas, a farmers’
market with fresh seasonal produce, kids’ amusements in the Tons of Fun Zone,
and a classic car show – “A La Car & Art”. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6
p.m. both days. Admission is free.
Festivalgoers will find thousands of
beautiful, handcrafted items by the west coast’s top artists and craftmakers
showing original work in glass, ceramics, metals, fiber, leather, wood, jewelry
and fine art.
“Everything you’ll see is handcrafted by the exhibiting
artist,” said Dana Hale-Mounier of Pacific Fine Arts. “It’s a juried
show to ensure that the quality of product remains high and diverse with price
points to satisfy every budget.”
Gorgeous vases, flatware, clocks, dishes,
wall and table decorations, paperweights, stained and beveled glass, etchings,
sculptures, photography, oil and watercolor paintings, beadwork, gold and
silver jewelry, vests, handbags, hats, wallets, footwear, windchimes, and
waterfalls will be among the one-of-a-kind items available.
A smashing lineup of 12 bands will perform two
lively days of rhythm and blues, rock ‘n roll, Motown, contemporary country,
flamenco, steel drum, jazz and party music on stage and street. The early
lineup includes Bob Culbertson, Kaweh, Ancient Winds, Shabang, Emerson,
HeartStrings Music.
Festival eateries will be dishing up a
world flavorful foods, perfect for strolling – souvlaki, meatballs, dolmas,
smoked bratwurst with sauerkraut, potato salad, corn-on-the-cob, spiced
chicken, beef and pork satays, pad thai, chicken and vegetables in peanut
sauce, teriyaki chicken and pork kabobs, veggie wraps, tamales, tacos,
made-to-order crepes, jumbo hot dogs, burgers, corn dogs, kettle corn,
smoothies.
Complementing the food will be premium wines, microbrewed beers, and
refreshing margaritas.
Several gourmet specialty food purveyors
will be on-hand to sample and sell their incredible edibles. Spices, herbs,
salts, olive oil, artisan vinegars, spices, dips, salad dressings, balsamic
vinegars, flavored almonds, cashews, pistachios, pecans, tea, scone mixes,
fruit butter, chutney, fudge sauces, fruit jams, honey, flavored mustard,
salsas, marinades, Kona coffee and fudge will be among the mouth-watering
offerings to sample and buy.
Growers from the Mountain View Certified Farmers’
Market will be on hand with farm-fresh strawberries, cherries, apricots,
organic produce, asparagus, flavored almonds, pistachios, walnuts, and honey.
The action-packed Kids’ Tons of Fun Zone
will captivate kids with endless amusements. Thrilling virtual reality motion theater,
24-foot climbing wall, inflatable slides and bounces, remote controlled NASCAR
race track, face painting, temporary tattoos, stiltwalkers, balloon twisters,
police and fire department displays are among the exciting attractions.
Back by popular demand is A La Car
& Art, a classic car show featuring everything from vintage touring
cars, custom hot rods and powerful muscle cars to sleek sports cars and super
cool low riders – a sampling of the fabulous array of cool cars expected to be
on display.
The festival will be held on Castro
Street between Church Street and Evelyn Avenue in Mountain View, California.
Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days. Admission and parking are free.
For festival information, call 650-964-3395 or visit www.miramarevents.com.
