The 'Big Easy' Comes to the Peninsula This Labor Day Weekend With Art & Wine Fest

The following was submitted for publication on behalf of the Millbrae Art & Wine Festival:

The festive spirit and flavor of the “Big Easy” is coming to the Bay Area this Labor Day weekend! 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, August 30-31. 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, a 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 dynamic 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, soul, funk, rock and roll, swing and jazz –– sure to be a real treat for music lovers. The blockbuster lineup includes Foreverland, Mustache Harbor, Reckless in Vegas, Extra Large, The Pulsators, Sol, 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; handcrafted boar, pheasant, buffalo and elk sausages; teriyaki chicken, beef and pork skewers; spring rolls; chow mein; spiced beef and lamb gyros; foot-long corn dogs; “Silly Spuds” potato spirals; cheesesteaks; giant “bad ass” sausages; key lime/pesto calamari; samosas; pakoras; funnel cakes; kettle corn; frozen yogurt; smoothies; organic popsicles; ice cream cookies and coffee drinks.

Complementing the food will be a selection of exceptional wines, refreshing margaritas and tasty microbrews. The popular Cantina, a shaded oasis to sit down and take a break, returns to host the “Classically Cool Car Show” featuring vintage touring cars, custom hot rods, sleek sports cars, and super cool low riders along with live music and a Microbrew Tasting Tent featuring delicious seasonal brews from a dozen small craft brewers.
The Kids’ Stage features the return of the hugely successful 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 the awesome 200’ zip-line that flies zippers over the crowd on Broadway, plus wild and wonderful roll-on-water Waterballerz, Mobile Rock’s gripping 24-foot climbing wall, train rides, the Great Crab Grab, Speed Pitch, monster inflatibles and bouncers, ultra thrilling carnival rides, 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, biscotti, curds and scone mixes, exotic jams and jellies, honey and honey products, butters and chutneys, almond toffee and brownies among the mouth-watering offerings to sample and buy.

The festival runs August 30-31 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 from 10 am to 5:30 pm. both days. Admission is free. For information, call 650-697-7324 or visit www.miramarevents.com

(Photo credit: Miramar Events)