Solano Avenue Stroll facts for kids
The Solano Avenue Stroll, also known as the Solano Stroll, is a huge street fair that happens every year. It takes place on the second Sunday of September along Solano Avenue in Albany and Berkeley, California. This festival stretches for almost 2 miles and brings in a quarter to a third of a million people in just one day! It's known as the oldest and largest street festival in the San Francisco Bay Area. In 2001, the Library of Congress called it a "National Local Legacy," which means it's a special part of American culture.
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History of the Stroll
The Solano Stroll started in 1974. It was created by the Thousand Oaks Merchant Association, a group of small business owners. 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 business.
Ira Klein wanted the festival to be a "thank you" to customers and to help promote the local family-owned businesses on Solano Avenue. He was inspired by his childhood in New York City and the lively culture of Telegraph Avenue in Berkeley. He also got ideas from his cousin, George Schindler, who was a famous magician. Ira Klein was involved in planning the Stroll until 1998. Lisa Bullwinkel then directed the event for 16 years, from 1989 to 2005. Robert Cheasty, a lawyer and former Albany mayor, has also been a key organizer since 1984.
The first festival was held on a Friday evening and only covered the Berkeley part of Solano Avenue. A few years later, it expanded to Albany and moved to Sundays. The "Thousand Oaks Merchant's Association" then became the "Solano Avenue Association." At first, it was just a reception for local businesses. But by the late 1970s, it grew to include fun attractions like magician booths, live bands, street theater, jugglers, and fire eaters. Local businesses have always funded the event. Larger sponsors like Safeway, Andronico's, Mechanic's Bank, and BART have also helped, along with the cities of Albany and Berkeley.
The festival did not happen in 2020 but returned in 2022.
What Happens at the Solano Stroll
Parade and Special Guests
The Solano Stroll day begins with breakfast at Memorial Park, near Albany High School, at 8 AM. The parade then starts at 10 AM at the east end of Solano Avenue in Berkeley. Since the 1980s, a special person called a grand marshal has led the parade. Past grand marshals have included famous people like Buffalo Bob Smith from the TV show Howdy Doody and sixties counterculture icon Wavy Gravy. The parade also features city leaders, marching bands, and cheerleaders from high schools across the Bay Area. You can also see various performance artists and dance groups.
Festival Fun
After the parade finishes, the street is closed to cars until 6 PM, opening up for people to walk around freely. There are many kinds of entertainment to enjoy. You might see taiko drumming, belly dancing, karate tournaments, and vintage car shows. There are also puppet shows, clowns, stilt walkers, improvisational theater, magicians, and face painting. You can even find dunk tanks, fun houses, and recently, amusement rides.
Music Performances
Many local music groups and school bands perform songs throughout the festival. You can hear all sorts of music styles. These include jazz, folk rock, alternative rock, Klezmer, Scottish folk dance, bluegrass, hip hop, R&B, soul, zydeco, and roots rock. There are also tribute/cover bands and taiko drumming.
Some famous bands have played at the Solano Stroll in the past. These include The Uptones, Operation Ivy, Rancid, and Piranha in the 1980s. In the 1990s and 2000s, bands like Blue Öyster Cult, Primus, and Country Joe and the Fish performed.
Delicious Food
Over 50 food vendors set up booths at the festival. Many sell classic carnival foods like corn dogs, pizza, deep-fried pastries, and cotton candy. But you can also find many international choices. These include Thai, Cambodian, Caribbean barbecue, Latin American, Middle Eastern kebab, and falafel pitas.
Chez Panisse owner Alice Waters, who helped start the slow food movement, was honored at the 2000 Solano Stroll.
Community and Challenges
The Solano Stroll still aims to celebrate local businesses. In recent years, it has also become a place for community groups to share information. Sometimes, different viewpoints are expressed at the festival.
The event has also faced some financial challenges. For example, some businesses that used to sponsor the Stroll have had difficulties. In 2011, some musicians were asked to play for less money or for free due to economic reasons. The 2011 Stroll was held on the 10th anniversary of 9/11 and had a theme of "unsung heroes."
See also
