Fog Fest Update

Pacifica’s annual Fog Fest is just weeks away. Here’s a look at what’s in store for Pacificans and out-of-towners alike when the two-day festival kicks off on Saturday, Sept. 24.

The festival boasts more than 150 arts and crafts booths, many featuring local artisans.

Twenty-four musical acts play on three stages throughout the weekend. On both Saturday and Sunday, the first band starts rocking at 11 a.m. Here are some highlights:

• Sunday’s opening act on the First National Bank Stage (at Shoreview and Palmetto avenues) will be Pacifica’s own middle Eastern troupe, the Arabesque Bellydancers.
• Also on Sunday, on the Recology of the Coast Stage(Corner of Santa Maria and Palmetto avenues), the celtic-blues rock band Blue On Green will play originals like “Ocean Shore 1409” an ode to the Ocean Shore Railroad. Bandmates Paul Clanon and Rob Wullenjohn regularly play a jazz set on Sundays at the Manor Boulevard location of Chit Chat Café. 
• The Fingerpuppets are a six-piece rock band, with five Pacificans in the act. Their set will open theSerramonte Ford Stage (Corner of Montecito and Palmetto avenues) on Sunday morning.

Saturday at 10 a.m., don’t miss the Fog Fest Parade. Grand Marshall for this year’s parade is Benjamin “Coach” Wade, a two time castmember of the CBS TV-series Survivor. As an artistic director and conductor of the Susanville Symphony, Wade is also expected to help judge the festival’s marching band competition.

Only at Fog Fest will you be able to sip on either of two “fog cutters.” Kept secret until the day of the event, two “fog cutter” beverages will be available throughout the festival grounds on Palmetto Avenue.

Kids can look forward to the amusement area that has, in festivals past, included a giant “super slide,” rock climbing wall and other attractions.

In connection with Fog Fest, Ingrid B. Lacy is hosting a Family Fun Fest on Sunday Sept. 25 from 1 to 4 p.m. at Ingrid B. Lacy School field. Like Fog Fest, this event is also free and open to the public. In 27 years’ running, this event aims to “introduce ‘new games’ and the idea of cooperative play to the community.”

Competitive types, take your pick of the following contests: a photo contest, marching band competition, sand sculpture contest, a “Fog Bank” number guessing game, and a “Fog Jog” race.

• The Fog Jog is a 5-mile race beginning at Salada Avenue. The race begins at 9 a.m. on Sunday at Salada Avenue and Francisco Boulevard and the course ends at the corner of Salada and Palmetto avenues. Advance registration is required. A non-competitive Fog Jog 3-mile walk will also be held in conjunction with the race. 
• The sand castle entries will be on display both days of the festival, and winners are announced on Sunday at noon. Awards are anticipated to include cash prizes and ribbons. Come to the festival at 11 a.m. on Saturday to get a glimpse of the artists and sand castle builders at-work on their entries.
• It is not too late to enter the photo competition. Submissions will be accepted until September 15. Contests organizers from the Sanchez Adobe Art Center are looking for photos that “best capture Pacifica through its people, scenery or history. See more entry information here.

Pacifica Fog Fest

What: An open air street festival with arts and crafts, music and booze, food and family-friendly fun.

When: Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 24-25 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Where: Palmetto Avenue, between South and Montecito. These streets will be closed to vehicle traffic during the festival, and parking can be found along Oceana or Francisco Boulevards.

This event is free and open to the public.