Manhattan Beach Hometown Fair Celebrates 50 Years

MANHATTAN BEACH, CA — The Manhattan Beach Hometown Fair is celebrating 50 years with its biggest opening ceremony and parade yet as well as many other new experiences for the community to enjoy to honor the fair's history.

"We’ve navigated through a virtual fair, a reinvented fair during a pandemic and now our most iconic celebration yet," said Joe Marcy, president of the Manhattan Beach Hometown Fair Association. "Fair weekend will be filled with tradition and community pride. It’s a celebration for everyone."

The "Old" Hometown Fair was started to promote community spirit in Manhattan Beach in 1972 by a group of residents. The weekend event features arts, live performances, and food and helps fundraise for local nonprofits.

Don't miss the opening ceremony on Saturday morning.

"This will be our biggest opening ceremony and parade," Marcy said. "From the beginning, the parade has included the Mira Costa High School band and drill teams and various city dignitaries in classic cars."

Adults can enjoy the Beer Garden to help support the Mira Costa dance, golf, rugby and swim teams. Visitors can also enter in a raffle to win prizes like Stagecoach Festival tickets, a Blix E-Bike, Beach Cruisers or tickets to Mammoth Lakes. Tickets are $5 for one ticket or $20 for five tickets. A silent auction will also take place and will go until Sunday at 6 p.m.

The fair will take place on Oct. 1 and 2 on Valley Drive between 15th and 21st Streets, and will include activities like free morning yoga classes on Saturday and Sunday, exclusive 50th merchandise, an exhibit detailing the fair's history and a headline concert by Manhattan Beach favorite, Better Daze on Saturday at 4 p.m.

A Battle of the Bands competition will also feature talent from the best young performers in the South Bay. Finalists Joyride, Mother Tucker, Scream Revolution and Wasted Effort will take the stage on Sunday at 10 a.m.

For more info, visit the fair's website here.