BIRD ROCK – The fourth installment of BirdStock, a free, family-friendly street festival in Bird Rock between Midway and Camino de la Costa, will feature live music, local food, an artisan market, and kids’ activities on Saturday, October 25.

Held from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. along La Jolla Boulevard, which will be temporarily closed to traffic during the festival, BirdStock celebrates the Bird Rock community by supporting local businesses, artists, and community organizations.

The Bird Rock Community Council is hosting BirdStock, as well as providing support for organization of this year’s event.

“We wanted to do a festival that would bring the community together in a lovely way after COVID,” said Arianna Opsvig, event co-chair along with Merisa Titlow and Kelsey Martin.

“We wanted merchants to feel supported, and for this to be a platform for artisans and musicians in our community. We wanted to give them a place to show what they can do and shine. We really wanted to make it a win-win for our community.”

Opsvig said BirdStock’s major sponsor this year is Lean Focus, though she noted many small businesses in the community are supporting the event through sponsorships. “We also have a generous BID Alliance grant this year,” she added.

Multiple stages are featured during the event showcasing a broad mix of musical styles. BirdStock is designed to offer something for all ages, everything from kid- and family-friendly activities to live music with local bands and a beer and wine garden, along with an artisan market with more than 70 vendors.

The festival also includes a dedicated Kids’ Zone with activities like a pumpkin patch, face painting, a bounce house, a hat bar, a Pup Parade, and costume contest.

Opsvig said there was also a fundraising component to BirdStock. “One of the goals is to raise money for Bird Rock Elementary School,” she said, adding that the event gives back to the community.

BirdStock is also largely volunteer-driven, noted Opsvig. “We’re not paid,” she added. “We really do this for the spirit of the community.”

There will be daylong live music on four outdoor stages at this year’s event as well as one indoor venue at Beaumont’s, at 5662 La Jolla Boulevard.

Opsvig characterized temporarily closing off La Jolla Boulevard for the festival as a “game changer,” given that it allows “more space for more vendors in the street.”

New this year, according to Opsvig, is enhanced event programming highlighting young children.

“We have a youth stage for the first time where younger children will be doing choral performances and cheerleading… and in the afternoon, incredible teen bands, which have played at other public events, will be performing for the community.”

Opsvig pointed out that BirdStock honors the three pillars of the community – residents, merchants and schools, all three of which she noted are in proximity to one another.

“It’s a day for the community to come out and support and appreciate each other and see, first hand, the community we live in and that it’s such a beautiful place,” she said.

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