Not even the rain could dampen spirits and keep people away from Saratoga's famous street party last year, when nearly 25,000 people turned out for the 10th annual Celebrate! Saratoga.
This year, of course Chamber of Commerce officials are hoping for clear skies. They're also hoping that for even more people show up, perhaps more than 30,000.
No matter how many do attend, one thing is for sure--this year's Celebrate! Saratoga will be bigger, and as organizers are promising, better than ever.
The Chamber of Commerce staff is putting the final touches on this year's event, which will kick off a week of festivities, beginning on Sept. 19.
The hoopla culminates with the Street Dance, which will be held as always on Big Basin Way in the Village between 5:30 and 10:30 p.m. on Sept. 25.
The final event will be the Saratoga Community Parade, which this year will feature a delegation from Muko-Shi, Saratoga's sister city.
"Everyone really gets into it," chamber executive director Abby Krimotat said. "It's the chamber's biggest--and only--event of the year. People have just been great. All the volunteers, people just dedicate so much of their time to it."
Krimotat said about 25 volunteers and chamber board members have been working to make this year's event go off without a hitch, and have redesigned much of the big event right down to the logos and wine glasses.
Perhaps reflecting the change in the executive director's office, those glasses are definitely funky--with crooked stems and the bright orange logos calling attention to nothing but fun.
Another improvement this year includes audio quality. Celebrate! Saratoga is hosting five bands, from swing music to Cajun blues, which will play on the corners of the various streets intersecting Big Basin Way. The chamber found, through use of a sound technician who provided his services pro bono, that the music will sound better with the arrangement.
Krimotat said her assistant, Vanessa Hawkins, has tirelessly helped line up everything for the big show, including bands, vendors, sponsors and wineries.
This year's Celebrate! will host wineries from all over the area, and will specifically showcase some of the finest Santa Cruz Mountains wineries.
Also, most of the Village restaurants will show off their epicurean delights, and Saratoga will play host to microbreweries and alternative beverage-makers as well.
For children, Celebrate! will feature a new and improved Fun Zone, featuring carnival games and face painting at the Saratoga Village Center.
Shuttles will cart partygoers from Saratoga High School, as parking in and around the Village will become virtually non-existent.
Plenty of other events surround the Celebrate! party. For a complete schedule, check out the Chamber of Commerce's revamped website, www.saratogachamber.com.
Here are some highlights:
* The Saratoga Authors' Hall of Fame, showcasing works from 200 Saratoga authors. Runs Sept. 19-Oct. 3 at the Saratoga Book Go Round. For more information, call 867-5552.
* The official Celebrate! Saratoga High Tea, and Senior Center fundraiser featuring harp music and "fancy" sandwiches, at the Saratoga Senior Center. Sept. 23, starting at 3 p.m. For reservations, call 868-1257.
* Spaghetti Feed, Sept. 23 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Our Lady of Fatima Villa. $5 for adults, $3 for kids; includes spaghetti, salad and garlic bread. For reservations, call 741-2954.
* The annual Saratoga Community Parade starts at Fruitvale Avenue and travels through the Village on Oct. 3, starting at 1:30 p.m. For more information, call 225-7217.
Saratoga, California Since 1955
