The community is invited to visit the 28th Annual Stone Soup Music Festival, Food, & Street Fair on August 25-26 in Grover Beach in Ramona Garden Park and the surrounding streets. This festival draws thousands of people each year to enjoy the free, live entertainment and wide assortment of food, art, craft and merchandise vendor booths. Admission is free.
The English Beat, who just released a new album in June, is headlining this year on the main stage on August 25 at 7:30 p.m. Other bands that will take the stage during the festival include Tempest, Ras Danny, Atmasandhi, Raye Zaragoza, Soundhouse, Ross Harper’s Island Time Steel Drums, Gillie Wheesels, Ichimi Daiko, Alan Vogan & the Sumthin’, Drum & Perk, Mariachis, and Grupo Aries. The concerts will represent a variety of music styles including ska, reggae, bluegrass, Indian pop, Celtic rock, Japanese drums, Mexican pop, Indie acoustic, Celtic folk, steel drums and more. Two stages will provide continual live music during festival hours on Saturday, August 25, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday, August 26, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The 30th Annual Dune Run-Run and Walk, a 5K and 10K walk/race, will take place Saturday morning and is open to all ages. The event begins at 9 a.m. at Ramona Garden Park Center located at 993 Ramona Ave. and continues through city streets, the beach boardwalk and on the sand. Applications are available from the City of Grover Beach Parks and Recreation Department.
The Mardi Paws Dog Parade is scheduled for 11 a.m. on Sunday. Dog owners are encouraged to dress their canine companions for the parade. All entries will receive a participation ribbon and awards will be given for Best Dressed, Most Original, Most Colorful, and Dog/Owner Look-alike.
An expanded play area will be available for kids in Ramona Garden Park. Central Coast Party Factory will provide bounce houses, surf simulator, dance dome, rockwall slide, bungee run, mechanical shark and more.
For more information, please visit southcountychambers.com, the Stone Soup Music Festival Facebook page, or call (805) 489-1488.