Contest Closed: Stroll Photo Scavenger Hunt Here

Sunday morning, the will honor "" with its annual parade and free street festival, which stretches 26 blocks along Solano Avenue, spanning Albany and Berkeley.

Last year, local photographers  they took the day of the event as part of our "photo scavenger hunt," inspired by Albany resident . We on Albany Patch. 

We also produced our own staff highlights gallery (!).

This year, we hope you'll share with us again. The category winners will be featured on Albany Patch, and one "best in show" winner will receive a gift certificate from, fittingly, the .

And don't forget to stop by the Patch booth, between Talbot and Cornell avenues, at the Stroll on Sunday! (You can also post photographs to our Flickr group, but only entries on Albany Patch will count for the contest.)

Please note, your photos must include the category IN THE CAPTION to be eligible. Participants may enter up to three photographs per category. You're also welcome to post photos without competing. 

CATEGORIES

• Top of Solano (Berkeley side)
• Bottom of Solano (Albany side)
• Stroll dog
• Parade
• Costume
• Entertainment
• Food
• Kids
• Candid
• Friends
• Artistic/Experimental
• Happiest moment
• Silliest moment
• Vendor/Booth
• Historic -- Photos of former Strolls accepted for this category; include the year, approximate if necessary, in the caption.
• Other -- Have a write-in category? Put it in your caption.

Add your photos, with the category in the caption, to this gallery by Sept. 18.

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More Information, Courtesy of the Solano Avenue Association

The fun begins at 10 a.m. with the opening of Solano Avenue businesses and Stroll booths, and the kick-off is the theme parade with about 100 groups.

After the parade, you can visit one of 50 entertainers, 50 food booths, 150 juried arts and crafters, state of the art mechanical rides, and 150 community non-profit and government organizations, not to mention the unique and popular professional services, restaurants, and shops already here on Solano Avenue.

This alcohol and *tobacco* free event promotes the unique traits of Solano Avenue, helping local businesses, local artists, and community organizations to thrive by exposure and fundraising. The Solano Stroll solidifies community spirit; neighbors find old friends, and families enjoy an afternoon in the sun. (* Both the Cities of Albany and Berkeley have strict [outdoor] smoking ordinances.)

Free shuttles run 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. from the North Berkeley BART station to Marin Avenue which runs parallel, one block South of Solano Avenue. The shuttle runs up and down Marin and stops at the intersections with stoplights (until San Pablo Avenue). Wait times average from 15 to 30 minutes. Shuttles are wheelchair accessible and are provided courtesy of our event sponsors. Please support them.

Ride your bike and enjoy free valet parking at two locations on Solano Avenue, Wells Fargo Bank on the east end of Solano, and by the Sophia Cafe on the west end. Thank you to the East Bay Bicycle Coalition and the Albany "Strollers and Rollers" for continuing to provide this wonderful accommodation.

Vehicles with accesible parking (blue) plates/placards can park at Solano and The Alameda. (Here's a link to a Google map of Solano Ave At The Alameda, Berkeley, CA 94707)

You can also use AC Transit bus numbers #18, #72, or #79. Take BART. We recommend walking from the "El Cerrito Paza", and taking the shuttle from the "North Berkeley" stations. 

Come be a part of this wonderful community event! Sponsorship opportunities are available in March / Participant registration April 16th (annually). The Solano Avenue Stroll is always the second Sunday in September.

See the full list of vendors and booths here.

Learn more about the day's events at the official Solano Stroll website.