For the 15th consecutive year, the Saratoga Chamber of Commerce will be presenting another evening of gourmet food, fine wine and live entertainment at the Celebrate Saratoga! Street Dance 2003 festival.

On Sept. 13, the downtown area will be transformed into an outdoor nightclub with more than 30 restaurants, wineries and organizations serving signature dishes and wines along Big Basin Way up to Fifth Street. Street dancers can sample a variety of dishes from all-American fast food like pizza and hot dogs to fancier dishes such as salmon ravioli and shrimp and crab gumbo. For dessert, food enthusiasts can indulge in a banana beignet with Tahitian vanilla caramel or milk chocolate marquise from newcomer Gervais Restaurant or fruit with crème fraiche and brown sugar from Sent Sovi.

The event has several returning participants—such as Viaggo, Bella Saratoga and The Basin—but it also has attracted new members, including the Bay Area masters water polo team and Boy Scout Troop 508.

Viaggo's manager, Mark Grochowski, said that the thought of not participating has never crossed his mind ever since his restaurant became a part of the celebration close to seven years ago. Grochowski said that not only does the event bolster camaraderie between residents and merchants in the area, it also introduces new customers to his restaurant.

"We had approximately 120 walk-ins during the event last year," he said. "The bar was especially busy that night."

Movers and shakers can enjoy live music from returning bands including The Hitman, Red Beans and Rice, CF's Swing Society, The Heartbeats, Flashback and Brickhead, while children can stroll along Second and Third streets where face painting and game booths will be located in the Buy and Save parking lot.

A new attraction at the Fun Zone will be a 20-foot climbing wall, presented by volunteers from the Boy Scouts.

"Celebrate Saratoga! is great because it's like being in Times Square on New Year's Eve," said Paul Griffith. "There are activities for adults and younger children, but not much for the older kids to do. We wanted to include teenagers in the event as well, and the idea of having a climbing wall seemed appropriate because it symbolizes outdoor adventure."

Based on the turnout in previous years, Kristin Davis, the Chamber's executive director, said she anticipates a crowd of 30,000 to 35,000 people and close to 400 volunteers.

"The streets are going to be packed with local visitors as well as visitors from out of town," she said. "Some people plan vacations around the event, and hotels usually get booked up around this time."

The event itself will take place from 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. Admission is free and shuttle buses will be provided at Saratoga High School on Herriman Avenue, the Argonaut Shopping Center on Saratoga-Sunnyvale Road and West Valley College on Fruitvale Avenue.

However, there will be a number of events taking place the week of and after the actual festival to promote the city. The Saratoga Library will have an Authors Hall of Fame event from Sept. 7 to 15, and on Sept. 28 the Saratoga Historical Foundation will be throwing an annual garden party at the Saratoga Historical Museum.

For more information about Celebrate Saratoga! or other events in the city, contact the Saratoga Chamber of Commerce at 408.867.0753 or visit the Chamber's website at http://www.saratogachamber.org.