Solano Avenue Stroll facts for kids

The Solano Avenue Stroll, also known as the Solano Stroll, is a giant street fair held every year. It takes place on the second Sunday of September on Solano Avenue in Albany and Berkeley, California. This festival stretches for almost 2 miles! It brings together between 250,000 and 300,000 people in just one day. Many call it the oldest and biggest street festival in the San Francisco Bay Area. Some even call it the "world's biggest block party." In 2001, the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. named the festival a "National Local Legacy." This means it's a special part of local history and culture.

History of the Stroll

The Solano Stroll started in 1974. It was created by the Thousand Oaks Merchant Association. This was a group of small businesses. Ira Klein and Lisa Burnham helped lead this group. Ira Klein owned a clothing and jewelry store called "The Iris." Lisa Burnham owned an antique and interior design business.

Ira Klein wanted the festival to be a "thank you party" for customers. He also wanted to help the family-owned businesses on Solano Avenue. His son, Gabe Klein, said Ira was inspired by his childhood in New York City. He was also inspired by the culture of Telegraph Avenue when he went to UC Berkeley. His cousin, George Schindler, a famous magician, also inspired him. Ira Klein helped plan and organize the fair until 1998.

How the Stroll Grew

The first festival was on a Friday evening. It only covered the Thousand Oaks part of Solano Avenue in Berkeley. A few years later, it grew to include Albany. It also changed to a Sunday event. The "Thousand Oaks Merchant's Association" then became the "Solano Avenue Association."

At first, it was just a party for local businesses. But by the late 1970s, it grew much bigger. It started to include fun things like magician booths and live bands. There were also street theater, jugglers, and even fire eaters!

Who Helps Fund the Stroll?

Local businesses on Solano Avenue have always helped pay for the event. Bigger sponsors have also helped. These include stores like Safeway and Andronico's. Banks like Mechanic's Bank and BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) have also helped. The cities of Albany and Berkeley also support the festival.

The festival did not happen in 2020. It took a break and came back in 2022.

What Happens at the Solano Stroll?

Parade and Special Guests

The Solano Stroll day starts early with breakfast at Memorial Park. This park is near Albany High School. The fair's parade begins at 10 AM. It starts at the east end of Solano Avenue in Berkeley.

Since the 1980s, a special person called a grand marshal leads the parade. These leaders are often famous or important people. For example, Buffalo Bob Smith from the old TV show Howdy Doody was a grand marshal in 1996. Wavy Gravy, a famous person from the 1960s, led the parade in 2000. The parade also includes city leaders and workers. You can see marching bands and cheerleaders from high schools. Different performance artists and dance groups also join in.

Festival Fun and Entertainment

After the parade finishes, the street opens up for everyone to walk around. It stays closed to cars until 6 PM. There are many kinds of entertainment to enjoy! You might see taiko drumming or belly dancing. There are often karate tournaments and vintage car shows. You can also watch puppet shows and see clowns. Look out for stilt walkers, improvisational theater, and magicians. Kids can get their face painted or try a dunk tank. There are even fun houses and amusement rides now!

Music for Everyone

Local music groups and school bands perform songs during the festival. You can hear many different styles of music. These include jazz, folk rock, and alternative rock. You might also hear Klezmer, Scottish folk dance, and bluegrass. There's also hip hop, R&B, soul, zydeco, and roots rock. Many tribute/cover bands also play.

Some famous bands have played at the Solano Stroll in the past. These include The Uptones and Operation Ivy. Rancid and Piranha played in the 1980s. Later, members of bands like Blue Öyster Cult and Primus also performed. Since the late 1980s, bands are chosen by a special group.

In 2000, musician Country Joe McDonald said about the fair:

It's like a picnic. I see a lot of my friends, which is great. It's a much friendlier and nicer place. You couldn't have had a Solano Stroll in the 60s...young people are a lot smarter now.

Delicious Food and Treats

Over 50 food sellers have booths at the festival. Many sell classic carnival foods like corn dogs, pizza, and cotton candy. You can also find deep-fried pastries. But there are also many international food choices! You might find Thai food or Cambodian dishes. There's also Caribbean barbecue and Latin American food. You can also try Middle Eastern kebab and falafel pitas.

Chez Panisse owner Alice Waters was recognized at the 2000 Solano Stroll. She is famous for starting the slow food movement.

Challenges and Changes

The Solano Stroll still celebrates local businesses. But in recent years, it has also had a more political side. You might see booths for social activism groups. These groups often encourage people to get out the vote. They usually have a liberal point of view. When it's an election year, the festival happens two months before voting day.

Sometimes, there have been small disagreements at the festival. In 2004, a newspaper reported that some protesters were yelled at. A politician named Barbara Lee also attended the parade in 2007. She left early because some people in the crowd were loudly disagreeing with her. She was the one who helped get the Solano Stroll recognized by the Library of Congress in 2000.

The festival has also faced money challenges. Some businesses that used to sponsor the Stroll have had financial problems. For example, Andronico's, a grocery store, had to file for special financial protection.

Before the 2011 festival, a newspaper reported that musicians might get paid less or play for free. This was because of a tough economy and less money for the Solano Avenue Association. Only two bands decided not to play that year. The 2011 Stroll was held on the 10th anniversary of 9/11. Its theme was "unsung heroes."

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