A San Carlos family picnics at Burton Park as they celebrate Hometown Days.
From traditional parades and pet parades to art contests and live music, San Carlos’ Hometown Days is set to return this weekend to kick off the summer months and celebrate the good weather.
At Burton Park, residents can enjoy extended hours of fun and programming all weekend long, kicking off at 4 p.m. Friday until 5 p.m. Sunday.
The annual celebration initially kicked off in 1980 and was entirely volunteer run until 2022 when the city took over its planning and coordination. Mayor Pranita Venkatesh described the celebration as “San Carlos’ favorite backyard party.”
The celebration is extremely local. San Carlos-based nonprofits host booths, local performers have their moment of fame on stage and it’s largely run by community volunteers. “As a tradition our community can count on each year, it provides everyone a chance to reconnect with one another,” Venkatesh said.
The weekend kicks off Friday afternoon, with a San Carlos Education Foundation student concert, and rides and attractions on Madsen and Flanagan fields. There will be food vendors, beer and wine, cozy fire pits and a final performance by a Bay Area-based cover band.
The opening night celebrations get everyone ready to party all weekend long. Saturday is the main event, kicked off with the Hometown Days Parade starting at 9:45 a.m.
The parade kicks off at Central Middle School, heads northbound at Cedar Street, east on San Carlos Avenue, south on Laurel Street, west on Arroyo Avenue and back north on Cedar Street to end back at the middle school.
New this year, the San Carlos Charter School will be hosting a soapbox derby. Over the past few weeks, students have built their soap box derby vehicles themselves and will race them down Arroyo Avenue after the parade.
“His student and parent-led event has been running at the charter school for the past four years,” Venkatesh said. “We’re hoping the increased visibility of this event will entice other schools to participate in the future.”
And then, the party continues all day. There will be live performances on two stages at Burton Park, drinks for sale, a slew of food vendors and a marketplace of local artisans’ work. Expanding on the traditional marketplace, the San Carlos Youth Center is hosting its own, showcasing youth vendors from the community.
A family friend Fun Run starts early Sunday morning at 8:30 a.m., and as always, ends in a pancake breakfast for registered participants. The Fun Run includes a 5K and a 10K option for noncompetitive community runs.
For pet lovers, the Pet Palozza celebrates furry friends, and awards the best in show, best dressed and star of the show in a fun competition held at 10:30 a.m. Sunday at the Madsen Field stage.
Coloring contests and cornhole tournaments will also be a highlight all weekend.
As residents celebrate their community, Venkatesh said it’s also an opportunity for her and other councilmembers to meet and talk face to face in more informal settings.
“The warm and family friendly atmosphere of this event brings out the best in San Carlos and I cannot wait to get to know our community members better,” Venkatesh said.
(65) 344-5200 ext. 106
Daily Journal staff
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