This weekend was the "Burlingame on Burlingame Ave." event and a chance to get out, mingle with some locals and see a lot of visitors getting exposed to the new Avenue streetscape. The whining about how the new streetscape would be too narrow to host the event and it would have to stay on Howard like last year turned out to be just that--whining. There was more than enough room and the restaurants appreciated the event's return.
The general impression was the there was more actual arts & crafts this year which is ironic since it is no longer called ArtzFest. I had a chance to chat with one of the guys who started the original Art in the Park back in 1967. Local Neil Dobson was relaying how he and Carter Church were BHS students when they had the original idea to do the event as a BHS art exhibit. They enlisted their art teacher, Mr. Van, to get permission from the City Council to hold the event. Apparently, after much back and forth on the dais, Mr. Van had to berate the council--including Vic Mangini and Bud Harrison (both of whom had deep BHS ties) to approve the event. Once approved, Neil and Carter set it up and slept in front of BHS overnight between day one and two to guard the art. Just another fun B'game story. Here are some shots from today including the Living Statue guy who was popular and the band Group Therapy from B'game that played both days. If you missed it, you missed out.
It was certainly a fun weekend. I was only planning to go one day but it was nice enough to go both days. The weather cooperated. I think we can say that The Melt is probably done for. If it did not reopen for this weekend it probably isn't reopening at all.
Posted by: Anne | August 18, 2014 at 08:27 AM
Anne, the head of Melt's RE department told me that they are planning to reopen this fall. The do more than retail sales and have a new corporate catering offering, which should be well located in Burlingame.
Posted by: The 51% of Burlingame that rents their long term home. | August 18, 2014 at 02:42 PM
Looking for "Community Entertainment"?
Golfing is good for you...and Golfing is good for Burlingame scholarships too! http://www.burlingame.org/index.aspx?page=9&recordid=11185
Posted by: AK | September 25, 2014 at 07:13 PM
Here is your reminder that Burlingame on the Avenue (aka Art on the Ave, ArtzFest, whatever) is happening on Saturday. From the Chamber's website, it looks like just Saturday (10 am - 6 pm). Group Therapy will be playing at noon. See you there!
Posted by: Joe | August 17, 2016 at 09:28 AM
According to the alert system that notifies us of closed roads etc., this event is on both Saturday and Sunday.
Posted by: Laura | August 18, 2016 at 11:44 AM
There are no parking signs for Sunday on Chapin Ave. What is going on there?
Posted by: Mom | August 18, 2016 at 06:31 PM
Thanks, Laura. It's always been two days, but the Chamber site didn't reference Sunday. Glad to hear it is the full weekend. Sounds like the Chamber needs some website management assistance.
Posted by: Joe | August 19, 2016 at 09:31 AM