Hometown Days return to San Carlos

The annual celebration initially kicked off in 1980 and was entirely volunteer run until 2022 when the city took over its planning and coordination. Still, Parks and Recreation Director Amy Newby said Hometown Days is greatly supported by its almost 100 volunteers to help run the event and make sure everything goes smoothly. 

“It’s still a huge volunteer effort and there’s such a huge need for and support from those in the community to make it happen,” Newby said. 

The weekend kicks off at 5:30 p.m. Friday with an opening concert put on by the San Carlos Education Foundation. The weekend will be filled with live music from local musicians — 15 bands will perform throughout the weekend on two stages. 

The Hometown Days parade on Laurel Street kicks off Saturday at 9:45 a.m. and will feature a slew of floats vying for the winning ribbon. The pet parade 11 a.m. Sunday will also return as a resident favorite. 

Families can also register for the Rotary’s Fun Run on Sunday morning and, after trekking the 5 or 10 kilometers, enjoy a pancake breakfast for $10 a person. 

In addition to the main events, the weekend will feature local artisans and merchants, a variety of food trucks and booths, the popular beer and wine gardens, and a load of games for the whole family to enjoy. 

Newby said she hopes residents are also aware all of the money raised over the weekend will go directly back to the city for things such as its improvement projects, fee assistance programs and local trails. 

“The money they’re spending is coming straight back in one of these parks that we’re hosting the event in,” Newby said. 

The city is also planning ahead to celebrate its centennial in 2025. Its main event celebration is currently slated to coincide with next year’s Hometown Days, which Newby said will be “bigger and better.” 

To celebrate this milestone, the city is looking to work on some historical projects that honor the legacy of the city while looking forward to its continual growth. One facet will be an audio/visual keepsake for long-term display commemorating the history of San Carlos. The city is also considering developing a map of historical markers around town for community members to go out and explore on their own through the centennial year. 

“San Carlos has this sense of place and belonging and community, and we definitely want to celebrate that and celebrate how far San Carlos has come since it’s been incorporated,” Newby said.

Visit cityofsancarlos.org/community/hometown_days_2024 for more information.