Attendees at the 30th annual Watermelon Festival Street Fair today and Sunday that officially ushers in the summer season in Manteca will see a slightly different downtown.
Over the last 14 months:
*At least seven new businesses have opened including Retro Pie, Eliyana’s Cafe, and El Rincon Market with new enterprises such as a bakery that are weeks or months away from opening their doors.
*The rehab of the two-story 108 Sycamore building where Eliyana’s opened on the bottom floor and another business is preparing to do so.
*The community garden is in place next to the tennis courts —- that have also had lighting added — across from the library.
*The first utility box art in Manteca has popped up at Main Street and Yosemite Avenue.
*Manteca Interact — a youth service group affiliated with Rotary — has placed a Peace Pole in the Maple Avenue mini-plaza with more refurbishing in the way.
*Lights strung across the 100 block of Maple Avenue that help illuminate the Music on Maple event that takes place the third Thursday of each month under the auspices of the Manteca Parks & Recreation Department.
*The placement of the whimsical super-sized Adirondack chair at Center and Poplar that has becoming a popular photo op spot.
That is all in addition to the just finished parking lot resurfacing on the northwest corner of Yosemite and Main.
It is part of the $1.2 million real estate deal being executed by the city that also includes the adjoining two-story IOOF Hall.
The city plans on partnering with the private sector to create a gathering place — like a restaurant and entertainment venue — to attract more people to downtown.
That also includes recent building sales where investors are taking two-story structures the own to renovate.
Street fair details
The Manteca Chamber of Commerce street fair and watermelon festival is today and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Admission is free and includes live music, 275 plus vendors, 30+ food vendors, a beer garden, a Sunday car show, and so much more, all running 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Library Park and throughout downtown.
One of the highlights for families this weekend is the Kids Zone at Library Park, where Manteca Youth Focus will be on-site with free activities all day long both today and Sunday.
Kids can enjoy beaded jewelry making, coloring, Play-Doh, cornhole, ping pong, and more — plus scheduled daily contests including a Baby Crawl at 11 a.m., Water Balloon Toss at noon, Watermelon Eating Contest at 2 p.m., Watermelon Story Time at 3 p.m., and the Wally Watermelon Dance Party at 4 p.m.
There is also an adult watermelon eating contest both days at noon and 2:30 p.m. There is no registration. Just show up at the registration booth at the beer garden.
There is also free live music near the beer garden at Wilson Park behind the Post Office.
On Saturday, DJ Mitch Zottie is from 10 to 10:30 a.m., No Way Nack performs from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m., and George Towne is on stage from 3 to 5 p.m.
Sunday starts with DJ Mitch Zottie from 10 to 10:30 a.m., then the Retrofitz Band is on stage from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m., while Gunpowder & Lace performs from 3 to 5 p.m.
The street fair takes place in the downtown triangle formed by Main Street, Center Street, and the railroad tracks.
To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com
