Pleasanton Harvest Festival Returns to Alameda County Fairgrounds

On September 11-13, the Pleasanton Harvest Festival will return to the Alameda County Fairgrounds, featuring the best and most unique shopping, exciting entertainment and delicious food.

The Harvest Festivals are the largest indoor arts and crafts shows on the West Coast, boasting over 24,000 American handmade items. Some of the gifts for sale include jewelry, pottery, original art, clothing, toys, specialty foods, accessories, home decor and more!

Once again, the Pleasanton Harvest Festival has partnered with the Valley Humane Society (VHS) to help the non-profit with fundraising and outreach efforts. In addition to a $500 donation by the Harvest Festival, the VHS will also receive all the proceeds from the parcel check and half the proceeds from the shopping bag sales.

This year, the show has developed a new partnership with the Alameda County Community Food Bank and wants to help draw attention to the growing need for food bank donations. Anyone who brings in canned or non-perishable food donations will get a $2 off admission coupon to the Pleasanton Harvest Festival.

In addition to the community support and the variety of handmade gifts, the event also features an exciting entertainment line-up that is set to thrill audiences the whole weekend. Cash Tribute is a Johnny Cash tribute band that plays the hits of the "Man in Black" with conviction, accuracy, sincerity and honesty. Led by frontman James Garner, Cash Tribute melds in historic antecdotes and stories about Johnny Cash while still playing his chart topping songs.

The show is only in town for one weekend, so don't miss the chance to experience why the Harvest Festivals have been a Bay Area tradition for over 37 years!

WHAT: Pleasanton Harvest Festival
WHEN: September 11-13, 2009
WHERE: Alameda County Fairgrounds, 4501 Pleasanton Ave, Pleasanton CA
TIME: Friday 10am-6pm, Saturday 10am-6pm, Sunday 10am-5pm
COST: Adults: $9, Seniors (62+) $7, Youth (13-17) $4, Groups (10 or more): $5, 12 & Under: Free (Tickets valid for re-entry all weekend)
INFO: Call 415-447-3205 or visit http://www.harvestfestival.com/ for tickets and information.
PRESS: Call The Larose Group at 650-548-6700 or email lstigge@prmagic.com

Summer Activities in Downtown San Mateo

Downtown San Mateo has “All the Ingredients” to Cure Those Summertime Blues

For many people, summertime equals down time and many Bay Area residents are looking for fun, inexpensive ways to keep busy. Downtown San Mateo offers just the thing; the Central Park Music Series is a free weekly concert series happening every Thursday night, from 6-8 pm. The event is a great way for individuals and families to cool off in the warm summer evenings by listening to hot musical performances.

“The Central Park Music Series is a favorite among many people of San Mateo and the Peninsula in general,” said Kelly Mitter, Executive Director of the Downtown San Mateo Association. “At every concert you’ll find families sprawled out on picnic blankets and people dancing to the music. The City of San Mateo wanted to provide a line-up that offers a different and unique musical genre every week, so we can safely say there really is something for everyone.”

At each concert there are raffle drawings, with gift certificates and donations provided by local Downtown San Mateo merchants. Many of the 130 Downtown restaurants offer specials and to-go boxes for customers to enjoy while watching the performances.

Band Line Up
• Thursday, July 16: Mark Russo and the Classy Cats meld the Jazz and Swing, mixing in a bit of Latin, to create a sound that is uniquely their own.
• Thursday, July 23rd: Kaweh offers a diverse range of Latin music, including Flamenco, Rumba and Salsa
• Thursday, July 30th: Molly’s Revenge will transport you to merry Ireland with a blend of Celtic music that interprets classic favorites with a current twist.
• Thursday, August 6th: Sila and the Afrofunk Experience will close the series with heavy Afrobeats and socially consciously lyrics.

Central Park has a variety of activities to keep people entertained during the day, as well. Sporty types can make use of the large tennis courts and walking paths, whiles families can let the kids loose at the huge playground and children’s train. The park also boasts the treasured Japanese Tea Garden, which is open to the public Monday-Friday from 10am – 4pm and Saturday and Sunday from 11am-4am. Guests can come and watch the Koi feedings which happen weekdays at 11am and 3pm.

For those looking for a whole day of fun, check out the Festa Italiana Street Fair, happening Sunday, July 26th from 10am to 5 pm on South B Street between Tilton and Second Avenues. Sponsored by the Festa Foundation, this annual festival features live music, art displays, delicious Italian cuisine, a chalk art gallery and the highly anticipated bocce ball tournament. The festival will kick off at 10 am with a parade that travels down B Street and ends at the main stage in front of the Peninsula Italian American Social Club.

For additional information, please contact the Downtown San Mateo Association at 650-342-5520 or email events@dsma.org. For press inquiries or assistance, please contact The Larose Group at 650-548-6700 or email lstigge@prmagic.com

Downtown San Mateo Wine Walk

Sip and Stroll at the Wine Walk in Downtown San Mateo
Largest strolling wine event in the Bay Area returns for its 14th year

On June 26th, from 5:30-9:00 pm, Downtown San Mateo will burst with flavor and sophistication as the 14th annual Wine Walk returns to the city on the Peninsula with “All the Ingredients”.

The Wine Walk is the largest strolling wine event in the Bay Area, and guests will have the opportunity to visit over 30 participating businesses, sample fine vintages, and patron some of the many 130 Downtown restaurants. There will also be two main stages offering exciting live music and entertainment throughout the evening.

2009 marks the 14th anniversary of the Wine Walk, and it has grown to be one of the premiere summer events in the Bay Area. For the second year, Third Avenue, located in the heart of Downtown, will be closed to create a spacious wine garden. The Downtown San Mateo Association (DSMA), in collaboration with Borel Private Bank & Trust Company and many other fine sponsors, are pleased to offer selections from several premium wineries pouring a variety of award-winning wines.

“The Wine Walk really celebrates the individual businesses and restaurants in our district and gives residents and visitors a chance to experience the vibrancy of downtown,” said Kelly Mitter, Executive Director of the Downtown San Mateo Association. “We’re excited to bring back this favorite summer event to Downtown San Mateo.”

The Wine Walk draws in approximately 6,000 visitors, residents and participants each year. Tickets are on sale now at http://www.winewalk.org/ and typically sell out.

WHO: The Downtown San Mateo Association
WHAT: The 14th Annual Wine Walk
WHERE: Downtown San Mateo (just minutes from Highway 101, 92 and Caltrain)
WHEN: Friday, June 26 from 5:30 – 9 pm
COST: $25 in advance; $30 at the door (ticket includes wine glass and ten tasting tickets)
INFO: Visit http://www.winewalk.org/, call 650-342- 5520 or email events@dsma.org
PRESS: Call The Larose Group at 650-548-6700 or email lstigge@prmagic.com

New Spring Pleasanton Harvest Festival

This weekend, April 17-19, the brand new Pleasanton Spring Harvest Festival comes to the Alameda County Fairgrounds to bring a weekend of shopping, music, and fun to residents all over the bay Area.

This is the first time in six years that the Harvest Festival have offered a spring show, and becuase of the great response for the fall show, the management chose Pleasanton as the host city. There's a colorful Hawaiian theme to the show, which is reflected in the entertainment acts, such as Tahitian dancers and steel drummers.

There will be over 100 artisans showing thousands of handmade arts and crafts, all made in the good ole USA. Some of the featured gifts include jewelry, original art, pottery, toys, specialty food items, clothing, home decor and more!

The Pleasanton Spring Harvest Festival has partnered with the Valley Humane Society to donate a portion of the proceeds from shopping bag sales and all of the proceeds from the parcel check. VHS will also recieve a $500 honorarium from the Harvest Festival.

Friday, April 17th - 10 am to 6 pm

Saturday, April 18th - 10 am to 6 pm

Sunday, April 19th - 10 am to 5 pm

Tickets: $7 adults and seniors, $4 Youth (13-17), $5 Groups of 10 or more, Free for children 12 and under (one ticket is good for admission all weekend)

For additional information, please visit http://www.harvestfestival.com/

"All the Ingredients" in Downtown San Mateo

Downtown San Mateo Springs into a New Brand Identity


(San Mateo, Calif., April 1, 2009) --- Spring has officially sprung, and Downtown San Mateo is hopping! From 12pm (noon) to 4 pm on Saturday, April 4th, at the US Bank parking lot, the Downtown San Mateo Association (DSMA) invites you to join in the fun, including prizes, music, entertainment, and more. Bring family and friends of all ages and learn more about all the ingredients in the Downtown and be among the first to experience the exciting changes happening in Downtown San Mateo.

There will be live entertainment at the main stage and throughout the Downtown with music, art and stores providing special “gifts” to consumers introducing them to their services. The fun starts at 12 noon at the US Bank parking lot with a commendation from State Assemblyman Jerry Hill, issued to the DSMA. Following an introduction by Mayor Brandt Grotte and City Manager Susan Loftus, guests will be treated to live music performances from the Tin Cats and the Hillsdale High School Jazz Band. Exclusive docent tours will take place throughout the day featuring Arts, Culinary, Central Park and Historical Walking Tour’s. Then, it’s back to the Main Stage where emcee Richard Cleaveland will be pulling raffle prizes, finishing with a final Grand Prize Red Bowl winner from the raffle at 3:45 pm.

“Part of marketing your business is visibility,” said Kelly Mitter, Executive Director of the Downtown San Mateo Association. “In addition to bringing a fun, family-friendly event to the residents and community of Downtown San Mateo, we also want to re-introduce them to all the shopping and activities that our downtown has to offer. We are proud to say that our town has ‘all the ingredients’ because it is steeped in culture and diversity with easy access and affordability.”

Be sure to mark your calendars for Downtown San Mateo’s Spring Fling on April 4th! After the event, we invite you all to stick around and continue to shop, see a movie, savor drinks, or treat yourself to an early dinner at one of the 130 restaurants located in Downtown San Mateo.

Who: The Downtown San Mateo Association
What: Spring Fling Event
When: Saturday, April 4th, Noon – 4pm
Where: US Bank Parking Lot, 136 2nd Ave (corner of 3nd Ave and San Mateo Dr.)
Contact: For more information, please visit http://www.dsma.org/ or call 650-342-5520. The Downtown San Mateo Association promotes Downtown businesses and has the all the ingredients for a fun day on the town.

Photos and Interviews available upon request.

25th Annual Marin Show: Art of the Americas

On February 21 and 22nd, the Marin Show: Art of the Americas will celebrate its 25th anniversary as the largest event of its kind, and has been referred to as the "Superbowl" of Native American Art collecting.

The show will feature over 200 dealers and artists selling antique American Indian, Pre-Columbian, Spanish Colonial, and Contemporary American Indian Art. All types of mediums will be represented, including pottery, textiles, sculpture, jewelry, beadwork, baskets, paintings, photography and more.

In addition to the plethora of art showcased, there will also be two public lectures at the opening of the show that will deal with legal and historical issues surrounding Native American art collecting.

The Marin Show will run Friday, February 21 from 10am - 6pm and Saturday, February 22 from 10am - 5pm at the Marin Civic Center in San Rafael. For additional information, please visit http://www.marinshow.com/

Announcing "Third Thursdays" in Downtown San Mateo

The Downtown San Mateo Association is announcing a new monthly series designed to offer entertainment and culture to the vistors and residents of San Mateo County. On Thursday, January 15th from 5-8 pm, "Third Thursdays" will kick off with businesses along B Street will be offering special deals and treats for patrons. Additionaly, there will be several local and international artists exhibiting and selling their works of art, from oil paintings and sculptures to absract and Latin art.

Product of Play N Trade owner Misty Megia and sponsored by the Downtown San Mateo Association, "Third Thursdays" was designed to cement Downtown San Mateo as a regular destintation, offering people of all walks of life an evening of arts and entertainment combined with urban flair.

"Downtown San Mateo is the perfect place to experience arts, dining and many diverse cultures all in one evening," said Kelly Mitter, Executive Director of the Downtown San Mateo Association. "With more than 130 restaurants, acessible transportation from Caltrain and SamTrans, ample parking and hundreds of businesses and retailers, Downtown visitors have unlimited options for a great night out."

The Downtown San Mateo Association promotes downtown buisnesses and has the perfect recipe for your night on the town. For additional details, please visit www.dsma.org or call 650.342.5564