20th Annual San Carlos Art and Wine Faire October 9, 2010

One of the Peninsula's premier fall festivals, the San Carlos Art & Wine Faire, celebrates its 20th anniversary on October 9 and 10, 2010. Sponsored by the San Carlos Chamber of Commerce, this fun-filled outdoor event takes place in the heart of downtown San Carlos within a five-block area, along both sides of San Carlos Avenue, and down Laurel Street from San Carlos Avenue to Arroyo.

The San Carlos Art & Wine Faire provides plenty of activities and fun for the entire family with live entertainment on three stages, arts and crafts booths, a Family Fun Zone for kids and gourmet specialty items. This year’s event also features a car show featuring hot rods and classic cars by Golden Gate Street Machines Unlimited, on display from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day.

Musical performances on Saturday include Jazz by Design, a jazz and swing band, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., and Caravanserai, the Santana Tribute band, from 2:30-5:30 p.m., both on the Main Stage Laurel Street Park, and Hi Rhythm Hustlers, a 50’s rock and roll band, from 12-2:30 p.m. on the San Carlos Avenue Stage. On Sunday, Sonic Strut, playing R&B and Motown, will perform from 2:30-5:30 p.m. on the Main Stage Laurel Street Park, while the Riptides, playing oldies and rock and roll, will play from 12 – 2:30 p.m., and Harmonics Steel Band playing Calypso from 3:30-5:30 p.m. on the San Carlos Avenue Stage.

More than 275 high-quality hand-picked artists will showcase their beautiful work for visitors including a wide range of ceramics, pottery, watercolor, oil paintings, photography, wood working, jewelry and more. The Family Fun Zone will provide live entertainment including music, magic performances and ventriloquism, as well as art-related activities for children ranging from face painting, candle making, make your own stuffed animal, dress-up costumes and wacky hair. A professional caricaturist will also be on hand to do portraits.

Wine tasting will be offered by Perelli-Minetti, Simi, Wild Horse Domenico’s and Coppola. New to this year’s event will be sparkling wine tasting with commemorative Champagne flutes celebrating the 20th anniversary of the San Carlos Art & Wine Faire. This year’s “Gourmet Alley” features such specialty food items as dipping oils, spices, gourmet mustards, wine jellies, infused vinegars, grilling sauces, gourmet nuts, designer brownies, marshmallow pops and much more, while 20 international food booths will offer everything from papusa to Thai chicken, barbecued pulled pork sandwiches Hawaiian pork, funnel cakes, gyros and tamales.

The San Carlos Art & Wine Faire takes place from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. both days. Because parking in downtown San Carlos is at a premium during the Faire, the San Carlos Chamber of Commerce encourages Faire attendees to use public transportation such as SamTrans or CalTrain or to ride bicycles to the event. A convenient Bike Parking Corral is available at 1250 San Carlos Avenue to store your bike.

Official Website: http://www.sancarloschamber.org