To maximize your enjoyment and comfort, here are some helpful tips in planning your trip to Connoisseurs’ Marketplace, Menlo Park’s popular festival of the arts, July 19-20 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Santa Cruz Avenue:

• Be kind to your pet companions (i.e., dogs), and leave them in the comforts of their own home.
• Dress comfortably, put on some sunscreen, perhaps wear a hat to protect yourself from the sun.
• Wear shoes you feel comfortable strolling in. The festival covers several city blocks, so you’ll be walking a lot.
• Consider backpacking children. Strollers take up more space and are difficult to navigate through crowds.
• Bring along cash for food and beverages. None of the food and beverage vendors accept credit cards.
• Don’t fill up on food at the first food booth you see. Stroll around a bit to get a flavor of the offerings, then sample several of the dishes that appeal to you.
• Be careful with your consumption of beer and wine. Drink plenty of water. The weather tends to be warm in July.
• Think about your holiday shopping when browsing the arts and crafts booths. Festivals offer unique gifts you can stash away until December.
• Avoid the traffic congestion and ride your bike. Bicycle parking racks are available on several side streets along Santa Cruz Avenue.
• Consider using public transportation. For Caltrain/SamTrans information, call 800-660-4287 or check out www.samtrans.com or www.caltrain.com. For VTA information, call 800-894-9908 or check out www.vta.org.