33rd Annual Ocean Beach Street Fair and Chili Cook-Off – June 23rd

Event will Feature a Chili Competition, Live Entertainment, Eclectic Vendors and Multiple Art Attractions

Thousands of San Diego residents and visitors are expected to flock to sunny Ocean Beach for the 33rd Annual OB Street Fair and Chili Cook-Off Festival happening Saturday, June 23, 2012 from 10a.m. to 8p.m. The iconic community event offers attendees a vast array of activities and attractions from unique handcrafted merchandise, local food vendors, beachfront entertainment and beer garden to art demonstrations and children’s activities.

Foodie enthusiasts will enjoy the Chili Cook-Off featuring nearly 30 recipes from amateur competitors, while all attendees will enjoy the six stages of live entertainment. More than 65 local artists are expected to be on site displaying and selling their work. Event-goers can also expect to see hand-crafted, unique items in the Artists’ Alley along with live art demonstrations throughout the day.

One distinct festival tradition for the past 14 years has been the community mural project, in which visitors can purchase one of 216 squares to help create a mural that will be displayed permanently on a building around town. “The community mural has to be one of my favorite activities of the day,” said Barbara Iacometti, Street Fair Chair and President of the Ocean Beach MainStreet Association (OBMA) which plans and hosts the event each year. “It’s not only a lot of fun for people who participate, but it is a significant part of Ocean Beach’s beautification. People love coming down and seeing all the art we have displayed across town.” For the first time in fair history, there will be a second community mural to honor the 125th Anniversary of Ocean Beach.

In addition to the second community mural, award-winning Pizza Port Brewery has hand-crafted a limited edition ‘Ocean Beach 125th Anniversary American Pale Ale’ brew, which will be sold at the Street Fair beer garden. OBMA will also be selling special edition farmers markets bags, stickers and apparel featuring the 125th Anniversary logo. Portions of the proceeds of beer sales and 125th Anniversary merchandise will go toward a 125th Anniversary fundraising campaign to beautify the community, with an emphasis on water front improvements.

Other attractions include a skateboard exhibition from Ocean Beach Surf and Skate Shop, as well as a Wonderland Children’s Area with pony rides, bounce house and a 150 foot inflatable water slide. New to the Street Fair is a laser tag arena at Saratoga Park. “We really try to ensure that there is something for everyone at the Street Fair,” Iacometti said. “We love inviting the surrounding communities in San Diego and beyond to come and experience what OB has to offer.”

The festival will take place from 10:00a.m.-8:00p.m. in the 4800-5000 blocks of Newport Avenue, along the waterfront and in the pier parking lot. Trolley services from the parking lots at Bacon Street and West Point Loma Blvd. (every 30 minutes) and the intersection of Sea World Dr. and Pacific Coast Highway (every hour) will be free from 9:30a.m.-9:00p.m. Parking in the specified trolley lots and admission to the event is free. For further event information, visit www.oceanbeachsandiego.com.

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The Annual Ocean Beach Street Fair & Chili Cook-off Festival has been a vibrant community tradition for more than three decades, attracting tourists and San Diego natives alike to sunny Ocean Beach each year. Join more than 70,000 visitors throughout the day for eclectic fun in the sun, shopping, festival nosh, surf and beachfront entertainment.

 Maps and all pertinent information will be available online at www.oceanbeachsandiego.com.