Mexican gourmet hot dogs, booths, dancing, entertainment and more food selections; such were the offerings at the 8th annual Santee Street Fair & Craft Beer Festival held on May 28. The main theme was honoring heroes for this Memorial Day tinged event held on the first day of many Americans’ three day holiday.
Opening remarks were handled by master of ceremonies and KGB Radio 101.5 on-air talent Clint August with the pledge of allegiance, and the national anthem sung by 13-year old Emily Gardiner.
Mexican gourmet hot dogs, booths, dancing, entertainment and more food selections; such were the offerings at the 8th annual Santee Street Fair & Craft Beer Festival held on May 28. The main theme was honoring heroes for this Memorial Day tinged event held on the first day of many Americans’ three day holiday.
Opening remarks were handled by master of ceremonies and KGB Radio 101.5 on-air talent Clint August with the pledge of allegiance, and the national anthem sung by 13-year old Emily Gardiner.
Then came the honoring of local heroes with Santee firefighter Ian O’Connor receiving a firefighter of the year award and Karen Fleck singled out as person of the year.
“This was a forum to celebrate heroes and local heroes,” said Santee Chamber of Commerce event director Kristen Dare. With that in mind flag apparel such as vests, t-shirts, and jewelry were heavily represented by attendees to honor our fallen military men and women.
Dare cited that there were more than 250 participants suppling a rainbow of products and services or entertainment. The event was family and pet friendly. She also estimated the attendance to be over 30,000. Free parking was opened up courtesy of surrounding businesses such as the San Diego Christian College and HD Supply.
First time booth exhibitor and jewelry designer, Carrie Menzbacher, with Western Whimsy Mercantile said, “We usually do rodeos.” She found out about the event at her credit union and said the price to exhibit “was very reasonable.”
While most Americans know about the Chicago style hotdog, Gustavo Tonella with his company Doggos Gus showed locals and tourists what a Mexican gourmet hot dog was—a hot dog wrapped in bacon, on bolillo bread, with grilled onions, chilies, guacamole, and Pico de Gallo on top. A Salvadorian Papusa was also a choice for the craft beer wristband crowd and those hungry for a new style hotdog.
Doggos Gus partnered with the Chamber to provide a free Mexican hot dog to the attendees who had purchased a ticket to the craft beer garden. Others who partnered with the Chamber were Al’s Sweet Shop and Karl Straus Brewery and more.
The beer garden, according to Kristen Dare, had 20 different beers on tap and free samples from singer Kenny Chesney’s Blue Chair Bay Rum product. Local brewers such as BNS Brewery & Distilling Co., and more kept the libations flowing.
Cameron Williams, a booth exhibitor, with Pickwick Players supplied singing nuns from his show, “Nunsense,” as part of the entertainment that also included in part, pint-sized and costume clad dancers from Tumble & Wee Dance. Many more entertainers such as the West Hills School Band and Santana High School Color Guard sang, danced, and played on either the Chamber Stage or Heroes Stage. Street entertainers also roamed through the crowds with balancing acts or stationary solo acts.
Miss Santee 2016 Marrissa Lawrence, and Miss Teen Santee 2016 Kaylyn Rambo introduced themselves to the attendees and circulated in the crowd to meet and greet.
Santee Chamber of Commerce President Sandy Schmitt also took the microphone and moved along the introductions on stage and shepherded the event along that lasted from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
The County of San Diego Sheriff’s Department showcased some of the horses that participate in search and rescues. Deputies answered questions about search and rescues and relayed a story of a recent search and rescue in San Diego County’s mountains.
While the theme was “For Our Heroes’,” the entire day of events seemed to fit that label. The remembered fallen service members, local heroes, and the supportive attendees.
