What:
The 54th Annual Precious Cheese North Beach Festival, the "oldest urban street fair in the country," which attracts more than 150,000 people each year.(And, to read about other similar Italian festivals in the United States, definitely visit About.com Guide to Italy Travel Martha Bakerjian's site -- she has the full scoop. Thanks, Martha!)
When and Where:
June 14 and 15, 2008, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Washington Square Park, 1200-1500 blocks of Grant Avenue, and the adjacent streets in San Francisco's Little Italy, North Beach. [Details.]Admission:
Free.Parking and Getting There:
If driving, check for directions and parking options. Validated parking ($3 a day) is available 9 a.m - 10 p.m. at the Golden Gateway Garage (250 Clay Street). A "Park & Ride Shuttle" departs every few minutes. Get off at the Broadway/Columbus stop for the fest (Grant/Broadway on return), and get validated at Calzone's Restaurant, 430 Columbus Ave. No purchase is necessary.For visitors, a door-to-door shuttle is available from Airport Express at a special $10 discounted rate. Call 415.775.5121 for more info.
Arts and Crafts:
At the North Beach Festival, there's plenty of arts and crafts, with 65% of the festival's artists returning from the previous year. In 2007, expect a total of 115 total juried arts and crafts vendors. From jewelry to photography to painting, there's plenty to see, critique and enjoy at this two-day fest.Pizza Toss:
While pizza-tossing champion Tony Gemignani is in Italy this year, the festival's traditional pizza toss will go on, with champs Justin Wadstein and Jay Shuurman. Both will be on hand to perform on the Green Street Stage (Green at Columbus Street). See Mr. Wadstein at 12:45 p.m. and 2:45 p.m. Saturday and Mr. Shuurman Sunday at the same times.Live Entertainment:
Music of all sorts will add to the festival's atmosphere. From jazz and rock to salsa and swing, see it live on two stages: the Precious Cheese Main Stage in Washington Square and the Green Street Stage.Arte Di Gesso:
Not only is the North Beach Festival the oldest urban street fair in the United States, it was also the first festival to showcase arte di gesso, or street chalk art -- an artistic medium invented in Italy during the Renaissance and an annual tradition for this neighborhood event. This year, the chalk art entries can be observed from the 1500 block of Stockton Street to the 600 block of Vallejo Street.Annual Animal Blessing:
And lastly, the St. Francis Animal Blessings will take place inside the National Shrine of St. Francis of Assisi (610 Columbus Street) at 2 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday.The Entertainment Schedule for 2008 Looks Like:
Saturday, June 14(Main Stage · Washington Square)
11:30 a.m. Times4
12:45 p.m. Calisus
1:45 p.m. Corinne West and the Posse
3:15 p.m. Gator Alley Band
4:45 p.m. Cathy Richardson Band
(Green Street Stage)
12 noon Steve Lucky and The Rhumba Bums
2:00 p.m. Stompy Jones
4:00 p.m. Safari
Sunday, June 15
(Main Stage · Washington Square)
12:00 noon KDFC's Classical Invasion
1:45 p.m. Mitch Woods & His Rocket 88's
3:15 p.m. Lavay Smith & Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers
4:45 p.m. La Ventana Band
(Green Street Stage)
12 noon David Landon Band
1:45 p.m. Tony Gemignani, World Champion Pizza Tosser
2:00 p.m. Delta Wires
4 p.m. Tony Gemignani, World Champion Pizza Tosser
4:15 p.m. The Pulsators
The North Beach Festival is also a celebration of the Beat movement. ... The first festival in 1954 was organized by North Beach artists, including Peter Macchiarini, Wolo, Don Kingman, and Sargent Johnson. ... The only year the festival was not held: 1986. ... Orignally named the Upper Grant Avenue Street Fair, then the North Beach Fair (1987-89), it was renamed the North Beach Festival in 1993. ... In 2002, Precious Cheese became title sponsor.
