Fiesta de Artes will soon be celebrated downtown
Just like going swimming, having picnics and staying out late are typical summertime traditions, Los Gatos also has a tradition all its own when it comes to activities that take place during the summer: the Fiesta de Artes.
This year, the 32nd annual event takes place Aug. 11 and 12, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the Los Gatos Civic Center grounds, 110 E. Main St. Admission is free.
Filling rows upon rows of booths will be more than 100 artisans selling paintings, sculptures, ceramics, art glass, photography, clothing, jewelry, cards, collectibles and other arts and crafts.
Rivaling the popularity of the arts vendors are those selling food and drinks, including fajitas, sausage sandwiches, vegetable wraps, kettle corn, corn-on-the-cob, fruit smoothies, sodas and iced coffees. Wines and beers from local vineyards and breweries will also be available, as will collectible, commemorative Fiesta De Artes wine glasses and decanters.
Another Fiesta standby is entertainment, which this year features Los Gatos rock group The Hitmen; Heather Gray & Stampede, a country & western band; Hog Wild; Now & Then, an interactive Santa Cruz band; Blame It on the Dog; Soul Jazz Quartet; Marshall Shapiro and Bay Area icon, The Joe Sharino Band. All-Pro Tae Kwon Do of Los Gatos will also give afternoon martial arts demonstrations.
Fiesta proceeds benefit various community programs supported by the Los Gatos Kiwanis Club, including Shots for Tots, Martha's Kitchen, the American Red Cross and scholarships for local high school students. Last year's Fiesta raised more than $25,000.
The Los Gatos Kiwanis Club has run the fiesta since 1996, but the event itself is much older. The first fiesta took place in 1969, when the then-Chamber of Commerce's wine festival and the town of Los Gatos' art festival merged. It was the first such art and wine festival in Santa Clara County and also the first to introduce commemorative wine glasses.
When the Chamber disbanded in the mid-1990s, a year passed in which there was no fiesta. Then the Kiwanians resurrected it. The event is a major fundraiser for the club, which each year makes donations to many local organizations and causes.
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Los Gatos, California Since 1881
