Mountain View Celebrates 42nd Annual Art & Wine Festival
Colossal Crowds Expected For Silicon Valley’s World-Class Art & Music Festival
“A Festival Like No Other”
Summer vacation is over. The kids are back in school. The weather is heavenly. It’s the perfect time for an affordable, pleasure-filled weekend close to home.
The 42nd Annual Mountain View Art & Wine Festival, September 7-8 is just the ticket!
It’s a festival like no other. An authentic and moveable feast for the senses. The cool, vibrant, multicultural Castro Street vibe. Exceptional handcrafted work by 600 of America’s top artists and craftmakers. Stellar live music on stage and street throughout downtown. Fabulous food and drink. The Comcast Pigskin Party Lounge with giant screen TV. Artisan specialty food purveyors. Home and garden exhibits. Health and wellness displays. An organic and green products showcase. An affordable, sun-splashed, memorable, leisure-filled weekend.
Considered one of America’s top art festivals, huge throngs of art lovers are expected to pour into Silicon Valley’s epicenter for this “Cultural Community Celebration” presented by the Chamber of Commerce Mountain View. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days. Admission is free.
The Beginning
Mountain View’s longtime signature event, the Art & Wine Festival was launched in 1971 as the first major fund-raiser for the Chamber of Commerce. Today, it is considered one of the nation’s top art festivals. Realizing the goal of its founders, the festival provides a consistent stream of revenue that helps fund Chamber programs throughout the year. Proceeds are invested in carefully crafted programs that help strengthen and bring together Mountain View’s diverse community. Among the programs sponsored by the Chamber are Yipee (Young Innovative Professional Entrepreneurs Etc), SOAR—a mentorship/internship program, Business ConneXions and Leadership Mountain View.
Extraordinary Art, Fine Crafts
California Artists brings its world-class stable of exceptional artists and fine craftmakers to the festival. Buyers and browsers will find thousands of handcrafted items by America’s best artists and craftmakers while browsing among 600 well-stocked booths featuring original work in glass, ceramics, metals, fiber, leather, wood, jewelry, and fine art. Beautiful vases, clocks, dishes, wall and table decorations, paperweights, stained and beveled glass, etchings, sculptures, photography, oil and watercolor paintings, beadwork, gold and silver jewelry, vests, handbags, hats, wallets, footwear, and waterfalls will be among the thousands of one-of-a-kind items available. “Mountain View is one of the top art festivals in the country. Every item you’ll see is handcrafted from beginning to end—it’s the perfect opportunity to meet the artists that conceive and do the work,” said Terry Allie, proprietor of California Artists.
Groova-licious Musical Mix
Get down, get funky and get your groove on! Thirteen dynamic bands will play a wide-ranging musical mix—Classic rock ‘n roll, soulful Motown, sizzling Latin-reggae, high energy rhythm and blues, jazzy swing, heartfelt country, pulsating party music and dance-‘til- you-drop disco—on the Civic Center Plaza Music Stage and multiple street locations throughout downtown transforming it into the Bay Area’s entertainment hotspot for a weekend. Stay tuned for when we announce the 2013 music lineup.
Fabulously Festive Food
Bring your appetite! Festival eateries will be dishing up a world of flavorful fare—organic quinoa biryani, Chicken tikka wrapped in freshly baked pulka bread, samosas, fresh corn-on-the-cob, baconwrapped hot dogs, souvlaki made with organic, locally sourced ingredients, Teriyaki chicken and vegetables, barbecue chicken and pork skewers, plump smoked sausages, paella, tacos, tamales, burritos, pizza, garlic chicken sandwiches, Parmesan-sprinkled garlic fries, tri-tip and pulled pork sandwiches, smoked turkey legs, Philly cheesesteaks, thin-crust pizza, made-to-order crepes, shepherd’s pie, Irish stew, chicken curry, frozen chocolate-dipped fruit kabobs, smoothies, Hawaiian shaved ice, root beer floats, bundt cakes, kettle corn and more.
Artisan Specialty Food
For foodies, it simply doesn’t get any better than the artisan specialty food available at the festival. Festivalgoers can sample and purchase incredible artisan-produced edibles, all using the very finest ingredients. Biscotti in many variations, almond toffee, salsa, dry salsa mixes, premium olive oil, family recipe dips, spices, sauces, garlic mushrooms, stuffed olives, mustards, pickled garlic, green beans and asparagus, fruit butters, marinades, curds and scone mixes, exotic jams and jellies, honey and honey products, butters and chutneys, vinaigrettes and dressings, all-natural almonds and pecans will be among the mouth-watering offerings to take home and savor.
Delectably Delicious Drink
Thirsty my friend? This year’s special festival brews from Tied House are a tasty Kolsch 45 summer lager and their flagship Cascade Amber. Heineken, Gordon Biersch Marzen, Shock Top Belgian White and Bud Light will also be served. Wine lovers will be tempted by luscious vintages from from several outstanding winemakers. The wine list includes Renwood Zinfandel, Barbera, Viognier and Pinot Grigio; Charonge, a California white wine with natural orange flavor, plus San Elias Sauvignon Blanc, La Puerta Torrontes, Wyndham Shiraz Malbec, Columbia Crest Cabernet Sauvignon, La Puerta Malbec, Columbia Crest “Two Vines” Pinot Grigio and Toschi Zinfandel. Enjoy a Sauza Original Margarita, Cruzan Rum Premium Mojito, Morada Sangria or Carbo Cava Brut Mimosa for a deliciously refreshing beverage alternative. VOSS Artesian Water, Sweet Leaf Original Sweet Tea, Sweet Leaf Mint & Honey Green Tea, ALO “Exposed” Original Aloe Vera Drink, ALO “Allure” Aloe Vera + Mango, ALO “Enrich” Aloe Vera + Pomegranate + Cranberry plus assorted soft drinks will also be available. Sip your favorite beverage in a beautiful, collector-item wine or beer glass adorned with this year’s stylish festival logo.
Community Stage & Kids’ Park
Action-packed Kids’ Park will keep youngsters plenty enthralled with a ultra thrilling bungee jumping, hands-on art booths, Mobile Rock’s gripping 24-foot climbing wall, super cool body art and facepainting, hula hooping, feather hair extensions, fossil digs, dinosaur art, the spine-tingling Froghopper, Kids Kopters, Uproar and Dixieland Twister carnival rides, one-of-a-kind themed inflatibles and bouncers, plus music, dance, games and prizes with the Radio Disney Road Crew. The Kids’ Park Community Stage is back! A dazzling array of young performers will strut their showstopping stuff in front of a live audience in this “Mountain View’s Got Talent” style showcase.
Comcast Pigskin Party Lounge
Sports fans will have a place to watch NFL and NCAA football and MLB pennant races on a giant LED screen in the Comcast Pigskin Party Lounge. Centrally located at Mercy and Castro, there will be plenty of seating, festive food and drink. It’s the perfect spot to kick back and take a break while you enjoy a great day at the festival.
Warriors In The House
Meet members of the Golden State “Warrior Girls” dance troupe, find out about tickets for the 2013/2014 season, win great prizes and check out the latest Warriors merchandise—hats, t-shirts, sweatshirts and more—featuring the popular Warriors retro “bridge” logo.
Zero Waste
The Chamber of Commerce Mountain View is partnering once again with Recology Mountain View, the City of Mountain View and Nothing Wasted Consulting to promote and encourage Zero Waste. Festival organizers are also encouraging the use of public transit, bicycles and car pools to cut down carbon emissions and vehicular traffic. “We’re working hard to make this a Zero Waste festival—it’s a top priority for us and something we diligently plan for and try to improve upon every year,” said Oscar Garcia, President/CEO of the Chamber of Commerce.
Organic, Healthy & Green Products Showcase
This year’s festival will feature the latest and greatest exhibits featuring Organic, Natural, Healthy and Eco-Friendly products. Festivalgoers can enjoy free product samples and gather information while experiencing first-hand how these products and organizations can help you live a better, healthier and “greener” lifestyle and be a positive catalyst for change. Sponsors include Larabar, Cascadian Farm, Food Should Taste Good, ALO, SolarCity, Farm Fresh To You, VOSS Artesian Water, The Solar Company, Sun Tropics, Dave’s Killer Bread, Sweet Leaf All-Natural & Organic Tea, Stanford Chiropractic, Palo Alto Medical Foundation, El Camino Hospital, Kaiser Permanante, University Chiropractic, and Sunnyvale Chiropractic.
Home & Garden Exhibits
For home improvement ideas, check out product displays and chat with representatives from Renewal by Andersen, Heavenly Greens, Armstrong Installation Service, Byers Leaf Guard, Safe Circuit Electrical, Bikram Yoga Mountain View, Cutco Cutlery, BathFitter, OneLawn, Bay Home & Window, Black Diamond Landscaping and The Craftsmens’ Guild.
Spectacular Sponsors
Win great prizes, enjoy free samples, meet the personalities and experience the latest products from festival sponsors: Amway, iTikes, Star One Credit Union, Chevrolet, Wells Fargo, The Swig Company, Toyota of Palo Alto, Tishman Speyer Properties, CA Dept of Tourism, Mary Kay Cosmetics, Prometheus Real Estate Group, Silicon Valley Community Foundation, The Golden State Warriors, David Walley’s Hot Springs Resort & Spa, American Laser Centers, Mary Kay Cosmetics, Gold Rush Getaways, Ellis Eye & Laser Medical Center, Hotel Avante, Tied House Café & Brewery, ME Fox Distributing, Heineken, Gordon Biersch Marzen, Shock Top Belgian White, Bud Light, DBI Wine, Sauza Original Margaritas, Cruzan Rum Premium Mojitos, Renwood Winery, Charonge Wine, Valley Transportation Authority, YP.com, CBS 5—Channel 5, The CW—Channel 44, Comcast, Yelp!, Bay Area News Group, San Jose Mercury News, Mountain View Voice, Metro, Radio Disney AM 1310, Alice 97.3 FM, KFOX 98.5/102.1 FM, KOIT 96.5 FM, KCBS 740 AM/106.9 FM, KBAY 94.5 FM, Mix 106.5 FM, KRTY 95.3 FM, and KLIV 1590 AM.
KMVT Broadcasts Live!
KMVT Community Television is inviting YOU to “SPEAK OUT” on TELEVISION at their booth during the festival! Drop by any time on Saturday or Sunday between 10am and 5pm to speak out, ON CAMERA, on ANY topic of your choice for 1-2 minutes. In addition to broadcasting your comments on KMVT Channel 15, you will also receive a FREE customized DVD of your recorded commentary! In addition to SPEAK OUT, KMVT will be airing LIVE interviews on Sunday with local KMVT Community Producers of several popular shows, as well as Board members, community members and KMVT’s Executive Director. Stop by the booth to see live television in action! The broadcast booth will be located at Church and Castro Streets, in front of Wells Fargo.
Viva Plastic: We Take Credit Cards!
For your convenience, pay for drink tickets and glasses using any major credit card at the Ticket/Glass booths at Evelyn, Villa, Dana, California, and High School Way. This year, we’re using Intuit’s sweet GoPayment mobile card reader. It’s easy, it’s awesome!
Bicycle Parking
Avoid the traffic congestion and ride your bike. Bicycle parking will be offered in the St. Joseph Church parking lot at the corner of Castro and Church Streets by the Friends of Stevens Creek Trail. The Friends of Stevens Creek Trail promotes community pride and involvement in the completion, enhancement, and enjoyment of the Stevens Creek Trail and Wildlife Corridor. To find out more about their good works, visit http://stevenscreektrail.org
Vehicle Parking
Some free parking is available on streets and parking plazas surrounding the downtown area. Paid parking ($5) will be available both days (except where noted) from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. at 400 Castro Street (parking lot entrance on Bryant Street between California and Mercy Streets), 444 Castro Street (parking lot entrance on Bryant Street), Bank of the West (501 Castro Street –– parking lot entrance on Hope Street), Kaiser Permanente/AVAILABLE ON SUNDAY ONLY (555 Castro Street –– parking lot entrance on Hope Street), Chase Bank (749 El Camino Real/Castro Street) and the City of Mountain View parking Lot #13 (on Bryant between California and Mercy Streets). Parking fees benefit the Community Health Awareness Council, creating healthy lives for children and families in Mountain View, Los Altos and Los Altos Hills.
Public Transportation
Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) will be running its normal weekend schedule with Bus and Light Rail service to Downtown Mountain View. Ride VTA Light Rail (exit at the Mountain View Transit Center) or VTA Bus Lines 22, 32, 35, and 522 to the Festival. Please note Bus Lines 32 and 522 do not operate on Sundays. For your free trip plan, call (408) 321-2300, or visit http://www.vta.org. For Caltrain information, call 800-660-4287 or visit http://www.caltrain.com. Caltrain, VTA Light Rail and bus service drops riders off at the Mountain View transit center, just steps from the primary festival entrance at Evelyn Avenue and Castro Street.
Street Closures
Castro Street will be closed to traffic from El Camino Real to Evelyn Avenue for the two-day festival.
No Pets, Please
Pets are not allowed at the festival. For the safety, comfort, and courtesy of your pets and festivalgoers, please leave your pets at home.
Festival Dates/Hours/Location
The festival will be held on September 7-8 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Castro Street from El Camino Real to Evelyn Avenue. Admission is free.
Info-Line/Web Address
For festival information, call the Chamber of Commerce Mountain View at 650-968-8378, visit http://www.miramarevents.com or “like” our Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/MountainViewArtWineFestival
