Festival Season Springs Into Action
Mountain View’s A La Carte & Art Kicks-Off the Bay Area’s
Popular Festival Season, May 15-16
Several Fresh, New Attractions On Tap This Year
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 15-16 in Mountain View where hip, walkable Castro Street will be transformed into a moveable feast of people and colorful tents for the 14th 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” — making its festival debut. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days. Admission is free.
How It All Began
A La Carte & Art is the largest annual fund-raiser for the Mountain View Central Business Association (CBA). A non-profit organization made up of local merchants and businesses, the CBA is dedicated to promoting business growth through participation and sponsorship of numerous community activities and events.
Fresh, New Attractions in 2010
The festival is re-inventing itself in 2010. New features include gourmet specialty food purveyors selling and sampling their artisan-produced products, a classic car show called “A La Car & Art”, several new food vendors offering a different slant with organic, fresh and exotic festival fare, new activites in the Kidzone, a fresh, new lineup of musical talent and the debut of Pacific Fine Arts, the festival’s new arts and crafts curator bringing a fresh infusion of highly-regarded artisan talent.
Fine Art, Cool Crafts
Pacific Fine Arts brings its highly-respected stable of exceptional artists and craftmakers to the festival. "We have many new artists this year joining longtime event favorites," said Dana Hale-Mounier, Director of Pacific Fine Arts. "Festivalgoers will find unique, original art and fine crafts with a variety of price points for personal purchases, gifts or additions to private collections. It’s a great opportunity to meet the artists behind their work," she said. Buyers and browsers 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. 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.
Stellar Live Music
A smashing lineup of twelve bands will perform two lively, fun-filled days of rhythm and blues, rock ‘n roll, Motown, contemporary country, flamenco, steel drum, jazz, world-beat and party music on stage and street. The lineup includes The Bell Brothers, The Shanks, Cover Grrlz, Six String, Soul Intention, Department of Rock, Bob Culbertson, Kaweh, Ancient Winds, Shabang, Emerson, HeartStrings Music.
Festive Food and Drink
Festival eateries will be dishing up a world flavorful foods, perfect for strolling — souvlakis, 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.
Artisan Specialty Food
Several artisan 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.
Farmers’ Market
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.
Kids’ Tons of Fun Zone
The action-packed Kids’ Tons of Fun Zone will captivate kids with endless amusements. Thrilling virtual reality motion theater, 24’ climbing wall, inflatible 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.
A La Car & Art, A Classic Car Show
New to the festival this year 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 seventy cars expected to be on display.
Organic & Green Products Showcase
Check out the latest and greatest exhibits featuring Organic, Natural, Healthy and Eco-Friendly products. Festivalgoers can enjoy free product samples and demos while experiencing first-hand how these products can help you live a better, healthier and “greener” lifestyle and be a positive catalyst for change. Sponsors include Farm Fresh To You, Solar City, Green Planet Water, Honest Tea, Renewal by Andersen, University Chiropractic, Sunlight Concepts, Recology Mountain View, Vik Chiropractic, KwickCart, KC Customs & Remodeling, Sunnyvale Chiropractic and Heavenly Greens.
“Greening” Efforts
This year’s festival will continue its “greening” efforts with the Central Business Association, Recology Mountain View and City of Mountain View joining forces to promote and encourage recycling. Free-standing containers will be positioned throughout the festival route for recycling glass, plastic and aluminum. Additionally, there will be large recycling containers for cardboard and mixed paper as well as glass, plastic and aluminum in a central area for event staff, vendors and sponsors. “We’re on a mission to make the festival as eco-friendly and green as possible — it’s a big priority for us and something we diligently plan for and try to improve every year,” said Julie Smiley, Executive Director of the Central Business Association.
Spectacular Sponsors
Win great prizes, enjoy free samples, meet the personalities and experience the latest products from festival sponsors: Stella Artois, Widmer Hefeweizen, Budweiser, Bud Light Lime, Salvador’s Top Shelf Margarita, Armstrong Installation Service, Kitchen Experts, Cutco, Danmer Custom Shutters, R-Mac Properties, Bean Buddy, BathFitter, The Craftsmen’s Guild, Gutter Helmet, Hotel Avante, VTA, The San Jose Mercury News, Mountain View Voice, CBS 5 TV, The CW Channel 44, Comcast, “Alice” 97.3 FM, KBAY 94.5 FM, KEZR 106.5 FM, KFOX 98.5 FM.
Street Closures/Vehicle Parking
Castro Street will be closed to traffic from Church Street to Evelyn Avenue for the two-day festival. There is ample free parking available on streets and in lots surrounding the downtown area.
KwickCart
KwickCart will be at the event both days to offer FREE RIDES to attendees (pleasure ride, park & ride, etc). Their versatile three-wheeled vehicles are powered by trained, local drivers to provide a fun and practical mode of green transportation throughout the downtown area.
Public Transportation
Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) will be running its normal weekend schedule with Bus and Light Rail service to Downtown Mountain View. Ride VTA Light Rail (exit at the Mountain View Transit Center) or VTA Bus Lines 22, 32, 35, and 522 to the Festival. Please note Bus Lines 32 and 522 do not operate on Sundays. For your free trip plan, call (408) 321-2300, or visit http://www.vta.org. For Caltrain information, call 800-660-4287 or visit http://www.caltrain.com. Caltrain, VTA Light Rail and bus service drops riders off at the festival “doorstep”.
No Pets, Please
Pets are not allowed at the festival. For the safety, comfort, and courtesy of your pets and festival-goers, please leave your pets at home.
Festival Dates/Hours/Location
The festival will be held on May 15-16 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. It will take place on Castro Street from Church Street to Evelyn Avenue. Admission is free.
Info-Line
For festival information, call 650-964-3395.
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