Food vendors and merchants of all types line Palmetto Street every year for the Fog Fest, and behind many of the booths are familiar faces of Pacificans selling distinctly Pacifican wares. Here are several to look for today.
In a booth located in front of is the somewhat famous “got fog?” t-shirt booth. “got fog?” shirts have been sold at the Fog Fest for twenty years, according to Mike Biancalana, who manned the booth on Saturday with Dalton McIntyre.
“Customers tell us that they have seen these shirts all over the world,” said Biancalana. The shirts are printed by John the Sign Guy and cost $10 for t-shirts and $15 for hoodies.
This year marks Pacifica artist Candace McDonald’s third time attending the Fog Fest as a vendor with Beachstring, the company she founded. McDonald creates ocean-themed mobiles and other treasures using 100% eco-friendly materials like sea glass, shells and driftwood, most of which she herself finds and gathers on local beaches.
McDonald first started collecting sea glass and shells when she visited Hawaii as a little girl. When she began creating gifts for her friends and family members, like sister-in-law Taya Dahl, the encouragement and requests she received became her impetus to create Beachstring. “I feel so blessed,” she said. “My friends and supporters inspire me all the time.”
The Pacifica Mothers Club provides support and friendship to its members while also working to improve the entire Pacifica community. Founded in 1991, the group was instrumental in creating the new playground on the top level of .
The club is selling copies of its cookbook, “Our Favorite Recipes,” made up of treats submitted by group members. Cookbooks are $15. In addition, the club’s Fog Fest booth features a free changing area and nursing station as well as free sunblock.
Orla O’Malley Daly lives in Pacifica and owns Irish Castle Gift Shop in San Francisco. Three years ago, she designed a distinctly Pacifica shirt that she sells every year, in men's and women’s styles as well as for children. The shirt reads “Pacifica Irish” and is beautifully embellished with Celtic designs. Also, new to her booth this year are “Nor Cal Irish” t-shirts.
Pacifica photographer and crafts queen Daniele Derenzi has attended the Fog Fest as a vendor for a few years. She loves interacting with festival-goers and sharing her photography with old friends and new admirers. Derenzi’s photographs focus on the local scenery, and she has been accepted to several shows at the , including the current 50-50 Show III. She is also a finalist in this year’s Fog Fest Photo Contest.
“Join POPS and Save the Pier” reads a pamphlet distributed by Jackie Allswang. POPS is Preserve Our Pier Supporters, and they are selling t-shirts with a sunset view of the Pacifica Pier. Proceeds benefit the non-profit group, who lobby the city of Pacifica regarding the maintenance and preservation of the pier.
Next to POPS is local artist Mary Clark, selling wallets that are hand-stitched from vegan materials as well as unique “I Love Pacifica” t-shirts, printed at John the Sign Guy. The t-shirts feature a hat-wearing skeleton with a starfish attached to his skull.
And of course, be sure to look for the Fog Fest merchandise booth where you can support the festival and its 45 collaborating Pacifica non-profits by purchasing Fog Fest memorabilia, including wine glasses and mugs. All funds raised for the Fog Fest go first toward covering its operating expenses. Then all remaining monies are shared with the non-profit organizations that participate in the Fog Fest.
