Street faire back in town

CARLSBAD — Currently in its 35th year, the Carlsbad Village Street Faire will take place from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 1. Each year, the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce hosts the faire in May and November.
The free event, which started 35 years ago as a sidewalk sale that at one time included a petting zoo and elephant rides, now includes vendors with everything from toys, accessories and clothing to household products, art and antiques. Grand Avenue from Carlsbad Boulevard to Jefferson Street, and all of the cross streets in between, will be closed for the event.
“The faire is a social happening of major proportions,” said Ted Owen, president and chief executive officer of the Carlsbad Chamber. “With almost more attendees than Carlsbad residents, the event nearly doubles the population of Carlsbad for one day. Fun, food and great prices are the faire’s main ingredients.”
The event will again include two international food courts with more than 50 booths serving everything from barbecue to Thai cuisine. A children’s area will amuse youngsters with games, a super slide, a bounce house, a rock climbing wall, face painting and arts and crafts. The Rotary Club of Carlsbad’s beer and wine garden will again entertain fairgoers with live bands.
The Kiwanis Club of Carlsbad will continue its more than 25-year tradition of hosting a pancake breakfast at the Carlsbad railroad depot. The meal, which includes pancakes, sausage, coffee and juice, will be served between 7 a.m. and noon.
To make parking more convenient, complimentary shuttles will run to and from the faire every 20 minutes. Shuttles will pick-up and drop-off passengers at the Poinsettia Coaster Station (Poinsettia exit off of Interstate 5) and the northwest corner of Sears at the Westfield shopping center (state Route 78 and Jefferson).
For more information, call the chamber at (760) 931-8400 or visit www.carlsbad.org.