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Founders and FiestasWillow Glen’s Biggest Happeningsby Staff on Mar 13, 2009Willow Glen is a community with a pulse. Throughout the year, this upscale district sets the bar for neighborhood entertainment with festivals, street fairs, special events and more. Three big festivals in particular draw out the masses. The party kicks off with Dancin’ in the Avenue, slated to take over downtown on June 20 this year for the 14th time. The aptly named, one-night annual street party encourages locals to bust out their best moves to the live beats provided by one of the four stages of bands. Beer, wine and soda booths line the street, while food booths showcase the creations of local vendors and downtown’s best restaurants. A kids court helps to keep the younger ones entertained. Next on the Willow Glen party circuit is the Italian Family Fiesta, Aug. 29–30 this year. This 27th annual event from the Italian American Heritage Foundation will bring the red, green and white back with a fury. As the oldest and largest event of its kind on the West Coast, the festival dresses up downtown Willow Glen with the charm of an Italian village, celebrating folklore and history, and promoting Italian culture with fine foods, libations, costumes, art exhibits, crafts vendors and live music. Grape-stomping contests, dancing, performances and Tarantella contests are just a few of the unique goings-on at this two-day fete. Founders Day, on Sept. 26, is particularly close to the hearts of Willow Glen residents. It celebrates the independent spirit of the neighborhood, commemorating the past, celebrating the present and looking to the future. The main drag closes for a time for the Founders Day Parade, which welcomes members of nearby communities to join in on the fun. With live music and a tender dash of Americana, this day is all about the small, hometown charm of downtown Willow Glen. This isn’t just a community with big annual festivals, though; smaller events throughout the year keep this district’s close-knit appeal. The Annual Sidewalk Sale (July 25) is a bargain hunter’s paradise. Merchants from all around town line up to bring the finest (and maybe strangest) in affordable finds. Next up is an event just for children ages 12 and under who are desperately in need of cleaning their rooms. The Second Annual Sweet Sunday Kids’ Flea Market (Sept. 6) will invite youngsters—with parental supervision, of course—to grab an umbrella, set up a card table (provided by Powell’s Sweet Shoppe) and vend their formerly loved goodies in downtown. They can bring electronics, sports equipment, used games, clothing, school supplies and more to sell to other kids. The year closes out with the Holiday Merchant Open House, a kick-off to the yuletide festivities, and finally the Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony at Willow Glen Elementary School. As if all these festivals and events weren’t enough, businesses throughout Willow Glen host their own regular happenings and special events. The baby boutique BabyBuzz has a variety of events that include storytimes, baby sign-language classes, infant massage workshops and more. Their Mom’s Nights Out, which includes wine and cheese as well as facials, has become particularly popular. Grapevine Wine Bar & Noshery celebrate every time they get the chance with wine tasting events, live music series, parties with guests from notable wineries and unique events like sake tastings. The Willow Glen Library clears out an unquiet corner for workshops, lectures and open community meetings, and Hicklebee’s Bookstore frequently welcomes renowned artists and illustrators. ArtHouse Kids gives parents a break monthly with Drop-In Saturdays. On the first Saturday of each month, parents can take their 5-and-ups to this kids’ arts space and drop them off for an hour and a half of supervised arts and projects, leaving them free to pursue coffee or grown-up conversations for a relaxing Saturday morning. by Staff on Mar 13, 2009 |
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