Millbrae Celebrates 45th Annual Labor Day Weekend Festival, The 'Last Blast of Summer'

The festive spirit and flavor of the “Big Easy” is here! For some sun-splashed, Mardi Gras-style fun this Labor Day weekend, head to lively, pulsating downtown Millbrae for the city’s annual big bash –– the Art & Wine Festival, September 5-6.

Every year, the last unofficial weekend of summer brings massive crowds to this peninsula city, that could easily serve as a typical small town movie set, for the Bay Area’s biggest Labor Day weekend bash, transforming its charming downtown streets into a resplendent sea of people and colorful tents.

Presented by the Millbrae Chamber of Commerce, the festival is the “Last Blast of Summer” with two days of sensational live music, gorgeous handcrafted work by 250 of America’s top artists and craftmakers, fabulous food and drink, “Hops Haven” microbrew tasting tent, the “Classically Cool Car Show”, an organic and green products showcase, artisan specialty foods, home and garden exhibits, health and wellness displays, and tons of fun for kids. The festival takes place on Broadway (1 block west of El Camino Real) between Victoria and Meadow Glen. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. Admission is free.

The dynamite music lineup features ten big name bands playing a wide-ranging mix of 70’s disco, hip-hop, 80’s pop classics, 90’s party music, R&B, soulful Motown, groovy funk, rock and roll, spicy Cuban, zydeco, swing and jazz –– sure to be a real treat for music lovers. The blockbuster lineup includes Love Fool, Super Huey, BeaufunK, Big Bang Beat, Key Lime Pie, Fito Reinoso, Loudin’ Cleer, John Clarke, Guy Palazzolo and HeartStrings Music.

Buyers and browsers will find thousands of handcrafted items in well-stocked booths covering several city blocks. Meet 250 exceptional artists and craftmakers –– offering great variety and price points to satisfy every budget –– on hand with their latest creations. Featuring original work in sculpture, paintings, photography, glass, ceramics, textiles, jewelry, leather, wood, metal and mixed media, the festival is considered among the top art shows in the Bay Area. Vases, flatware, 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, windchimes, and waterfalls are among the one-of-a-kind items available.

Festival eateries will be dishing up hearty servings of fresh, grilled corn-on-the-cob; garlic fries; grilled gourmet sausages; teriyaki chicken, beef and pork skewers; traditional Chinese banh mi sandwiches; rice bowls with shrimp, chicken wings, barbecued pork and chicken; imperial rolls; beef and lamb gyros; tamales; foot-long corn dogs; crab cakes; cheesesteaks; key lime/pesto calamari; garlic fries; tri-tip sandwiches; turkey legs; Portobello mushroom sandwiches; funnel cakes; kettle corn; frozen yogurt; smoothies; and Dippin’ Dots ice cream.

Complementing the food will be a selection of exceptional wines, refreshing margaritas, and tasty seasonal microbrews. The popular “Hops Haven”, a shaded oasis to sit down, kick back and take a break, returns to host a Microbrew Tasting Tent featuring delicious seasonal brews from assorted small craft brewers, and the “Classically Cool Car Show” featuring vintage touring cars, custom hot rods, sleek sports cars, and super cool low riders along with live music by local rockers Loudin’ Cleer.

The Kids’ Stage features the return of the smash hit Streets Filled With Talent Music and Dance Showcase starring sensational young performers on stage strutting their showstoping stuff in this Millbrae’s Got Talent-style showcase.

Action-packed Kids’ Playland will fascinate kids with an abundance of amazing amusements. Among the exciting attractions are an awesome 200’ zip-line that flies zippers over the crowd on Broadway, wild and wacky roll-on-water Waterballerz, Mobile Rock’s gripping 24-foot climbing wall and super fun bungee jump, ultra thrilling carnival rides, a 100-foot Super Slide, face painting and temporary tattoos –– a lineup of activities sure to keep youngsters mesermerized!

Makers of artisan specialty foods will be on-hand with gourmet fudge, premium olive oil, family recipe dips, spices, sauces, garlic mushrooms, stuffed olives, mustards, pickled garlic, green beans and asparagus, fruit butters, marinades, grilling sauces, pasta, herb tea, curds and scone mixes, exotic jams and jellies, honey products, butters, chutneys and almond toffee among the mouth-watering offerings to sample and buy.

The festival runs September 5-6 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m on Broadway (one block west of El Camino Real) between Victoria and Meadow Glen. Free round trip shuttle service will be available from the Millbrae BART/Caltrain station every 20 minutes. Festival admission is free. For information, call 650-697-7324 or check out www.miramarevents.com.

• --News release from Miramar Events