Live music is one of the main attractions of the Pescadero Arts and Fun Festival. Photo courtesy of Kellie Marcuson.

Aug. 20-21: The Pescadero Arts and Fun Festival is known for its local music and eclectic art
Sept. 3-5: Artists and patrons are drawn to the dramatic setting of the Kings Mountain Art Fair.
Sept. 24-25: The Pacific Coast Fog Fest, held in Pacifica, celebrates the city’s marvelous climate.

Pescadero Arts and Fun Festival

by Kellie Marcuson

The Pescadero Arts and Fun Festival on Aug. 20 and 21 is the last hurrah of summer for South Coast residents. This old-fashioned country fair showcases local music, eclectic art and a wide array of food offerings; it’s the year’s biggest local event.

The weekend kicks off on Friday evening with the opening reception gala of the South Coast Artist Alliance Art Show. Fine art, sculpture, mixed media and more fill the IDES Grand Hall.

Outside, over 70 vendors share their creations of jewelry, handmade textiles and clothing, hair ornaments, pottery, photography and much more.

On the stage, the music is home-grown, in a wide spectrum of styles. Local favorite bands Blue, Lighthouse, and others will keep folks moving and grooving. This is one fair where many people arrive at the end of day. The crowd-pleasing Gary Gates Band closes the show on Sunday evening.

The Sunday fashion show is about anything but fashion. Dee Harley and Janet Periot, a dynamic comedy duo, serve as MCs.

Hungry? Enjoy the hand-rolled tamales sold by The Pescadero Education Foundation, or the grilled crab and shrimp sandwiches from Gazos Grill. You can also choose the tri-tip or grilled Portabella mushroom sandwiches — or ice cream served in “made right before your eyes” waffle cones.

Paffy’s Kid Korral provides kids games, a bounce house, mule rides, sand art, and other activities to keep the little ones busy.

After more than 20 years of running PAFF, organizers say the baton is being passed. “We are looking to the younger generation to come on board with exciting new ideas and energy to keep this important event alive. They all grew up with PAFF in their lives; it has become an integral part of their community.”

The Mountain Folk Art section provides a smattering of less expensive crafts side by side with fine art, all by residents of Kings Mountain. For many, it's a favorite part of the fair. Photo: Aeron Noe.

The Kings Mountain Art Fair Combines a Love of Nature with a Passion for Art

by Aeron Noe

An oil painting on a redwood tree, a hand-carved rocking chair underneath the canopy, a harpsichordist playing softly in a clearing. Everywhere you look, art and nature collaborate at the Kings Mountain Art Fair.

Many of the fine artists selected by jury to exhibit are inspired by nature and drawn to Kings Mountain for its dramatic setting. They come with finely detailed etchings of trees, watery coastal landscapes, hand-carved birds, and peaceful Buddha faces sculpted for gardens.

Families head to Kiddie Hollow, where the children climb in ancient redwood stumps. They also get to make their own art and play in a Native American teepee.

The fair is known for the high quality of the artists it attracts, the redwood forest setting, and the warm welcome from an all-volunteer staff. If you fall for a special piece of heirloom-quality art, you can purchase it in good

conscience, knowing that a portion of sales goes to the volunteer fire brigade and the elementary school.

The 48th annual art fair will take place at 13889 Skyline Boulevard on Sept. 3-5. Pancake breakfast with the artists begins at 8 a.m., and artist booths are open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission and parking are free.

Mermaid Tricia Callero is featured every year in the Fog Fest Parade. Photo courtesy of Daniel Darmod

Pacific Coast Fog Fest

by Samuel Casillas

The Pacific Coast Fog Fest was created in 1986 to promote Pacifica and to celebrate its marvelous climate. The last full weekend of September was chosen because historically the weather is unbeatable. The Fog Fest is a two-day event with over 150 arts and crafts booths, the Discover Pacifica Parade, the marching band competition, a sand castle contest, a scenic Pacifica photo contest, three stages of top-quality live entertainment, and plenty of tasty food and drink. The Fog Fest is free and runs along Palmetto Avenue in Pacifica.

The Fog Fest showcases some of the best artists in the greater Bay Area, both in the arts and crafts booths and in the music venues. Other activities include the Fall Family Fun Fest, an annual play festival designed to promote healthy family play, both competitive and cooperative, with an emphasis on participation and a sense of community. Every year, hundreds of families attend and take part in a wide variety of games and activities implemented by city staff and trained volunteers. The Fun Fest has been an essential event in Pacifica for 27 years, helping to introduce “new games” and the idea of cooperative play to the community.

The Pacific Coast Fog Fest has grown to be one of the best free music festivals in the Bay Area. This year there will be three full-size stages, with four bands performing on each stage on each day of the festival. There will be all sorts of music: polka, country, western, swing, Americana, Latin, rock, blues, R&B, soul, salsa, funk, punk, alternative rock, Italian pop — and belly dancing.

The Fog Fest is regularly attended by over 80,000 people.The festival dates are Sept. 24 and 25, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days.