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Community Corner

THIS WEEKEND: The Menlo Park Connoisseurs' Marketplace, The Bay Area's Premier Summer Festival, July 19-20

The long, lazy days and gorgeous summer weather are here. It’s the perfect time of year to enjoy the great outdoors and the multitude of world-class festivals that make summer such a special time of year in the San Francisco Bay Area. For a sun-splashed weekend featuring world-class art by 250 of America’s top artists, two days of stellar live music, engaging chefs’ demos, fabulous food and drink, artisan specialty food purveyors, a collector car show, home and garden exhibits, health and wellness displays, an organic and green products showcase, and tons of fun for kids, head to charming, tree-lined downtown Menlo Park for Connoisseurs’ Marketplace, which this year celebrates its 28th year with a spectacular extravaganza on July 19-20. 

Presented by the Menlo Park Chamber of Commerce, large crowds are expected to pour onto the downtown streets for this vibrant celebration of visual, performing and culinary arts. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days. Admission is free. Take a leisurely stroll down charming, tree-lined Santa Cruz Avenue and experience a world-class sampler for the senses.

Festivalgoers will find thousands of extraordinary handcrafted items by America’s top artists and craftmakers at this juried show. Chat with and buy from 250 artists on hand with their latest creations. Featuring original work in sculpture, paintings, photography, glass, ceramics, textiles, jewelry, leather, wood, metal and mixed media, the festival is considered among the top art shows in the Bay Area. 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 are among the one-of-a-kind items available.

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The best of the Bay Area music scene comes to Menlo Park with nine sensational bands playing an eclectic, fun-filled mix of classic rock ‘n roll, rhythm and blues, contemporary jazz, funk, dance and party music on stage and street throughout downtown. The free “Saturday Twilight Concert” will feature Aja Vu, a tribute band playing classic hits by Steely Dan and Chicago, on Saturday, July 19 from 5:30-8 p.m. in Fremont Park. The music lineup includes The Megatones, California Blues Machine, Long Train Runnin’, SF Bay Jazz, HeartStrings Music, Oscar Reynolds, and The GroWiser Band.

Festival eateries will be serving up a world of flavorful fare –– fresh roasted corn-on-the-cob; paella; chicken, lamb and vegetarian tandoori; spit-roasted gyros, falafel, spanakopita, Greek salad; barbecued oysters, crab cakes, smoked turkey legs, tri-tip and portobello mushroom sandwiches, garlic fries; smoked bratwurst and Polish dogs; tamales, tacos, quesadillas; garlic chicken, beef and pork kebobs; spicy Peking chicken wraps; fish and chips; teriyaki chicken and rice; naan wraps, chicken and lamb curry, organic vegan curry; beef, turkey, salmon and veggie burgers; foot-long corn dogs; funnel cake, kettle corn, exotic dark chocolate, strawberry lemonade and aprium popsicles, soft serve yogurt, fresh-squeezed lemonade, Italian ice and more. Complementing the food will be exceptional wine, champagne, microbrews, and refreshing margaritas.

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A longtime festival favorite, the Chefs’ Demo Tent will showcase talented chefs from top local restaurants who put on a fabulous and engaging show, preparing dishes that reflect their imagination and style, while offering festivalgoers creative ideas and tips to try in the kitchen at home. Makers of artisan specialty foods will be on-hand to sample and sell their incredible edibles. The world’s finest almond toffee, dark chocolate truffles, peanut brittle, heirloom vegetables, gourmet pomegranate products, olive oil, mustard blends, curds and scone mixes, marinades and finishing sauces, exotic jams and jellies, honey, butters and chutneys, vinaigrettes and dressings, flavored almonds, cashews, pistachios and pecans, dessert sauces, spices, herbs, and salts will be among the mouth-watering offerings. Stroll, browse and enjoy food tasting and samples in Organic Alley, health and wellness displays, a green products showcase and home and garden exhibits. 

The action-packed Kids' Fun Zone will fascinate youths with endless amusements. A thrilling bungee jump, Mobile Rock’s 24’ climbing wall, Fit Kids obstacle course, Phillips Brooks School kids art zone, feather hair extensions, super cool face painting and temporary henna tattoos are among the exciting attractions. Rounding out the lineup is the Connoisseurs’ Collector Car Showcase, featuring a special display of world-class exotic automobiles, presented by GT Auto Concepts and AutoVino. 

Connoisseurs’ Marketplace runs July 19-20 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Santa Cruz Avenue from El Camino Real to Johnson Street in Menlo Park. Admission and parking are free.

INFO-LINE:  650-325-2818     

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