The 18th annual How Weird Street Faire will take place on Sunday, May 7 from noon to 8 p.m. in downtown San Francisco.
The Omen by Sandi Miot
Published: May, 2017
How Weird Street Faire
The 18th annual How Weird Street Faire will take place on Sunday, May 7 from noon to 8 p.m. in downtown San Francisco. The event is centered at Howard and 2nd Streets, in the heart of the city’s technology and art sectors. Filling in the faire will be thousands of people in colorful costumes dancing in the streets. There will be 11 stages of world-class electronic music. There will be a special Summer of Love pavilion at the center intersection this year. It will include the How Weird Info Booth, the California Historical Society providing info on 1967 and 2017 anniversary events, and a gallery of tie-dye and sixties art from Love on Haight. There will also be fashion shows, light shows, documentary footage from 1967 and more. It will be a revolution you can dance to! For more information, visit howweird.org.
Bay to Breakers
If you are looking for a true San Francisco experience, then head to the city on Sunday, May 21 for the annual Bay to Breakers race. Now in its 105th year, this event is a San Francisco original. This 12K race is one of the largest and oldest running events in the world. It attracts more than 50,000 runners and 100,000 spectators every year. Why is it so popular? It showcases the true San Francisco with fun, chaos and an unmatched spirit of community. This race includes both serious runners and those out for a fun Sunday run. Many wear fun and funky costumes to show their spirit. You will also find a few people in just their birthday suits. The party atmosphere along the race route offers spectators the chance to be part of the action. The race starts near the Embarcadero in downtown San Francisco. Runners head west across the city and end near the Pacific Ocean. The first group starts at 7 a.m. The course officially closes around noon. For more information, visit baytobreakers.com.
Altered Book Show
The Marin Museum of Contemporary Art is currently presenting an exhibition showcasing unique book artworks of 140 Bay Area artists. Ordinary books are transformed and reimagined in unique and inventive ways to produce this highly entertaining and remarkably varied exhibition. The highly imaginative work in the show explores a wide range of mediums and themes, and viewers will experience art that ranges from the profound to the whimsical. The Altered Book Show will run through May 20, when the exhibit will have a closing party and live auction from 5 to 8 p.m. Don’t miss this opportunity to acquire an original work of art and support local art. This fundraising event for MarinMOCA raises funds to help it fulfill its mission of connecting artist and the community. MarinMOCA is located at 500 Palm Drive, Novato and admission is free to the public. For more information, go to www.marinmoca.org or call (415) 506-0137.
Uncorked Wine Fest
The 12th annual Uncorked Wine Festival at Ghirardelli Square is on Saturday, May 13. This one-day event lasts from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. The public event gives you the chance to sample and learn about more than 50 amazing wines from Northern California. Every year, this event draws in more than 7,500 wine lovers from all over the world. Most events take place in the courtyards throughout Ghirardelli Square in Fisherman’s Wharf. Some of the events are also on Beach Street to the north of the square. The festival also includes live music, cooking demonstrations and two tasting workshops. It’s free to enter the event to enjoy the live music, craft fair, and other entertainment. Tickets that give you access to wine tastings from 1 to 6 p.m. start at $60 per person and include a souvenir wine class and unlimited tastings throughout the day.
Carnaval San Francisco
Come celebrate the 39th annual Carnaval San Francisco. On May 27 and 28, the Mission District will transform into an enormous celebration pulsating with dancing, drumming, live music, brilliant costumes and delicious food. Traditions from Brazil, Mexico, Bolivia, Colombia, Trinidad & Tobago, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Guatemala, Chile, Haiti and West Africa will be presented. The annual event attracts more than 400,000 people who come to enjoy the revelry and soak up the pageant of color and culture. The two-day festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Harrison Street between 16th and 24th Streets. The 2017 Grand Parade will be held on May 28th at 9:30 a.m. This year’s theme, “The Heart of San Francisco,” refers to the very essence of what it means to identify with the enriching love that this city has to offer. Experience global cuisine, international music, dance, arts and crafts, and other fun activities and entertainment on every street corner for the entire family to enjoy. The event is free, although there is a donation request at the entrances. For more information, visit www.carnavalsanfrancisco.org.
Hot Chili and Cold Beer
Things are going to get hot in Sonoma County on May 6 from 1 to 5 p.m. when the Great Petaluma Chili Cook-off, Salsa & Beer Tasting takes place at Fairgrounds in Petaluma. The 19th annual celebration of local chefs and amazing microbrews will feature more than 40 chili teams serving up their finest meat and vegetarian chili as well as 15 salsa teams making traditional or fruit salsa, while 20 breweries share several varieties of suds. Tickets are free for kids under 5, $10 for ages 5-11, $25 for chili and salsa or $50 with beer for the adults. The event is held in Herzog Hall at the Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds, 100 Fairgrounds Drive in Petaluma. To purchase a ticket, or for more information, call (707) 763-8920 or visit www.GreatChiliCookOff.com.
Vallejo Garden Tour
The 2017 Vallejo Garden Tour and Festival, during which you can visit nine of Vallejo’s most beautiful gardens, will be held on Sunday, May 21 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The tour is a benefit for the Vallejo Naval & Historical Museum. Advance tickets are $35 for museum members and $40 for the general public. All tickets are $40 on the day of the tour. Vendors and displays will be found on Fresno Street between Zoey June Gift & Garden and the Basement. Tickets are available at the Vallejo Ferry Terminal at 289 Mare Island Way; the Vallejo Naval & Historical Museum at 734 Marin Street; Visit Vallejo! (Vallejo Convention & Visitors Bureau); Zoey June Gift & Garden at 1426 Tennessee St. For more information, call (707) 643-0077 or visit www.vallejomuseum.org.
To have your event or announcement considered for the Bay Crossings Around the Bay listings, please send information or a press release to: joel@baycrossings.com.
