The Manhattan Beach Hometown Fair, an institution in the city since 1972, will return this weekend.<\/p>\n
The fair, which will feature live music and plenty of family-friendly activities, will take place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 3-4, along Valley Drive, between 15th and 22nd streets.<\/p>\n
The event will boast 200 arts-and-crafts booths, and nearly 30 food and drinks booths, according to the Hometown Fair\u2019s website, which expects to bring in more than $100,000 annually for various nonprofits.<\/p>\n
\u201cAll the proceeds go to the schools and nonprofits,\u201d said Hometown Fair board President Karen Tokashiki, \u201cso it\u2019s a great fundraising for our area and for the schools.\u201d<\/p>\n
The fair will begin on Saturday morning with an opening parade, which will be led by Boy and Girl Scout troops, and a performance by the Mira Costa High School Marching Band and drill teams. The Manhattan Beach Middle School Choir will perform the national anthem.<\/p>\n
The \u201cKid Country\u201d was revamped this year, with more \u201cslime and glitter\u201d for the younger children, Tokashiki said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are not going to have pony rides this year,\u201d Tokashiki said. \u201cDue to some of the issues and feedback we got from the public, we decided not to do that. But we will have a petting zoo, so kids can look forward to that.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Beer & Wine Garden will be adjacent to the Main Stage, where live music will take place each day of the fair. Live music will also take place on the Dietz Stage, including the \u201cBattle of the Bands,\u201d featuring amateur groups and beginning at 10 a.m. Sunday.<\/p>\n
The first Hometown Fair Mahjong Open Play event will take place at the Joslyn Center, 1601 N. Valley Drive, on Sunday, Tokashiki said.<\/p>\n
Competitors in the open play tournament, who can sign up on the fair\u2019s website, will be eligible for a custom Manhattan Beach mahjong, set and winners will receive a custom mahjong T-shirt.<\/p>\n
A \u201cCivic Corner,\u201d featuring information on local services and a chance to meet city staff, as well as the \u201cCommunity Place\u201d that showcases South Bay nonprofits and political organizations, will also part of the festivities.<\/p>\n
Pets are not allowed, Tokashiki said.<\/p>\n