IT’S TIME TO SPRING INTO FESTIVAL SEASON
Mountain View’s A La Carte & Art
Kicks Off Bay Area Festival Season, May 17-18

The San Francisco Bay Area is known worldwide for its fantastic weather, vibrant cultural scene and world-class events. The popular outdoor festival season around the Bay officially springs into action on May 17-18 in Mountain View where friendly, hip, walkable Castro Street will be transformed into a resplendent sea of people and colorful tents for the 12th Annual presentation of A La Carte & Art.

Thousands of visitors are expected to pour onto Castro Street for a vibrant, multiethnic celebration of the arts. Presented by the Mountain View Central Business Association and Synopsys, the open-air festival will feature two full days of attractions with live music, a juried art show with 250 craftspeople exhibiting their latest wares, festive food, and drink with premium wines, microbrews and margaritas, a farmers’ market with fresh seasonal produce, the popular chefs’ demonstration tent, a variety of amusements for kids and free facials, hand massages and mini-makeovers from Burt’s Bees and Maybelline brand ambassadors.

How It All Began
A La Carte & Art was launched in 1997 to raise money for the 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.

Fine Art, Cool Crafts
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 Nancie Allie of California Artists. “It’s a juried show to ensure that the quality of product remains high and diverse.” 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.

Live Music
A smashing lineup of eleven bands will perform two lively days of rhythm and blues, rock ‘n roll, jazz, world-beat, and party music on stage and street. The lineup includes Chubby’s All-Stars, Fred McCarty Band, Soul Intention, Old School, Mama Luke, The Hitmen, Kaweh, Dreamroad, Ancient Winds, Emerson & The Growiser Band, and HeartStrings Music.

Festive Food and Drink
Festival eateries will be dishing up a world flavorful foods –– classic Caesar salads, turkey/cheddar and hummus/veggie wraps, grilled rib-eye steak sandwiches, crispy fish and chips, super teriyaki chicken and pork kabobs, jumbo beef, Cajun and veggie dogs, smoked bratwurst and sausages, Thai chicken and pork on-a-stick, pulled pork sandwiches, turkey drumsticks, spicy jambalaya, stir-fried noodles with cabbage, carrots and broccoli, Hawaiian-style shredded pork, barbecued beef and chicken sandwiches, falafel, pita sandwiches, made-to-order crepes, roasted corn-on-the-cob, kettle corn, Hawaiian shaved ice, strawberry shortcake, chocolate dipped fruit kababs and fresh fruit smoothies.. Complementing the food will be premium wines, microbrewed beers, and refreshing margaritas.

Chefs’ Demonstrations
Meyer Appliance/Kitchens by Meyer presents two days of cooking demonstrations by a stellar lineup of chefs from some of the area’s top restaurants. Under a tent, chefs will perform their magic, sharing tips and preparing dishes that reflect their immense talent, imagination and style, while offering festivalgoers delicious samples and recipes to try at home. In short, a free cooking class and tasting of some of the best food in the restaurant-rich area.

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 Kids’ Tons of Fun Zone, located at Mercy and Castro, will captivate kids with endless amusements. The stomach-tickling Froghopper, a 120’ Super Slide, thrilling virtual reality motion theater, Boomer’s Magic Circus obstacle course, face painting, temporary tattoos, inflatible bounces, and choo-choo train rides are among the exciting attractions.

Spectacular Sponsors
Stop by for a visit, win great prizes, enjoy tasty samples, meet the personalities, and check out the latest products from the official festival sponsors: BlackBerry, Burt’s Bees, Maybelline, Garnier, Kitchen Works, Renewal By Anderson, Stella Artois/Widmer Hefeweizen/Red Hook IPA/Bud Light, Foothill Disposal, Provident Credit Union, Wells Fargo, Shell Vacations, Work Space Safes, Donato Chiropractic, Trendwest Resorts, El Dorado Ranch, Armstrong Painting, University Chiropractic, NY Times, Sunnyvale Chiropractic, Wyndham Vacations, Cutco Cutlery, Guide Services, Spinal Health, Marriott Vacations, Timber Lodge, Worldmark, Danmer Custom Shutters, Margarita King, American Laser Centers, Icelandic Glacial Natural Spring Water, Hotel Avante, VTA, 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, Channel 104.9 FM, KCBS 740 AM, and Movin’ 99.7 FM, KSJO La Preciosa 92.3 FM and KFRC 106.9 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.

Public Transportation
The festival is served by VTA Light Rail (exit at the Downtown Mountain View station) and Bus Lines 22, 32, 35 and 522. Please note Bus Lines 32 and 522 do NOT operate on Sundays. For your free trip plan, call 408-321-2300 or visit www.vta.org. Caltrain will be running its normal weekend service both days. For Caltrain schedule information, call 800-660-4287 or visit www.caltrain.com. The Mountain View Transit Center is one short block from the festival.

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 17-18 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/Web Address
For festival information, call 650-964-3395.