Hometown Days celebrates 35 years: This year’s event in honor of Linda Teutschel

Teutschel is passing the torch to the next generation of volunteers, said her daughter Laura Teutschel, who also volunteers to put together the festival and parade held Saturday.

“She’s a grandmother now and would like to have time for herself,” Laura Teutschel said. Both, however, will continue to donate their time to support the event for years to come.

“Her commitment level is pretty intense,” Laura Teutschel said.

The event has grown over the years to attract about 12,000 visitors to downtown San Carlos and weathered the economic downturn, when the city was suffering through lean budgets in 2009 and 2010.

“The public has always been under the impression it is city or chamber event, it is neither,” Laura said. Hometown Days is a nonprofit endeavor that is supported with city resources and tax-deductible donations.

The annual parade held on Saturdays is Linda’s favorite event, her daughter said.

This year, state Sen. Jerry Hill, D-San Mateo, and Assemblyman Kevin Mullin, D-South San Francisco, will participate in the parade. The Woodside High School marching band, the Carlmont High School Drum Corps, Girl Scouts and Cub Scouts and the Eaton Hills 4-H Club will all march in the parade.

Also on hand will be Disney star Genevieve Goings, who grew up in San Carlos.

Growing up, Goings participated in the San Carlos Children’s Theater and was the mascot for Central Middle School.

Now she lives in Southern California and is the host of the Disney Junior music video show “Choo Choo Soul.”

“San Carlos Hometown Days remains a vibrant, community-based event due to the efforts of Linda Teutschel,” City Manager Jeff Maltbie wrote in a statement. “Her 15 years of dedication and collaborative efforts with city staff and various volunteer groups has ensured the event’s success. The city is proud to support Hometown Days and appreciates Linda for providing the community with an event to look forward to throughout the year.”

Pat Bennie, former San Carlos mayor, is credited with establishing the first Hometown Days back in 1980. Her idea was to bring the community together without it being too commercial.

Visit sancarloshometowndays.com for more information.

bill@smdailyjournal.com

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