OCEAN BEACH – The 45th Annual OB Street Fair & Chili Cook-Off takes place on Saturday, June 27. A true feast for the senses, the area along Newport Avenue will become a festive party from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., featuring art, food, and fun for tens of thousands of attendees.
The is no shortage of things to do, with activities for all ages. Music is one of the event’s highlights with a dozen performers taking part on two stages, while other offerings include a kid-friendly inflatable fun zone, a curated Artists Alley, the event’s namesake Chili Cook-Off, a beachside beer garden, a community mural, and more.
This year’s theme: Discover Ocean Beach.
“It just seemed like the right time to focus on the community aspect of the event, and that phrase just fit,” said Ocean Beach MainStreet Association executive director Denny Knox. “So much in the world is changing, and it says something that we’ve been able to keep the Street Fair thriving.”
The basic footprint for the festival is the same as last year, and attendees will be happy to note that the 92107 free contest booth will be returning and giving attendees a chance to win OB-related swag from local merchants and restaurants. New this year is an area in front of Winstons that will feature pickleball and cornhole tournaments.
“We’ve had to move things around a little due to city regulations, making things a little more spacious, but with the same spirit and all the things that everyone loves about the Street Fair still in place,” Knox said.
As always, the biggest draw of the event is the music, and once again, the Street Fair has a selection of top-tier artists. “It is my favorite day of the year,” said Ted Wigler, who books the main stage and promotes the beer garden, while also booking Winstons. “It’s great to see the community come together like this, with friends and families out, just enjoying a great time at the beach.”
Wigler has been booking bands for the Street Fair for 24 years. “It’s something I genuinely enjoy,” he said. “I like being able to give back something. It’s helping the community and helping deserving performers get heard.
“When audiences come out, they’ll see some of their favorites for sure, but this is such a great opportunity to discover something new. This year will feature more music at Ocean Beach’s indoor venues, including The Holding Company and Winstons.
“We have bands during the day and late into the night. It gives street fair attendees more options for entertainment and showcases the venues.
“Plus, anyone who wants to keep the good vibes going after the main event can check out more great music,” Wigler added.
This year’s highlights include award-winning island-grunge stars Doah’s Daydream (2 p.m. 92107 Stage), the Grateful Dead tribute group Electric Waste Band (3 p.m. 92107 Stage), and reggae favorites The Resinators (6 p.m. 92107 Stage).
Although music is the big attraction, foodies will have a field day with the event’s plethora of dining options. There will be dozens of specialty food vendors on hand, but attendees will also want to consider Ocean Beach’s terrific restaurants.
Eaters with a competitive streak may also want to take part in several food-related contests. First up is the day’s signature event, the Chili Cook-Off (11 a.m.), taking place at Veterans Plaza. Tasters will decide the winners from among two dozen competitors, with an extra competition to decide which entrant has the best OB Spirit. Trophies will be handed out on the main stage at 3 p.m.
While the Chili Cook-Off is a good-natured competition, two other contests are just for fun. First up, the fifth annual Dirty Birds Wing Eating Contest (1:30 p.m.) will have the elbows and sauces flying, with the proceeds going to support OBMA’s Friends of OB Clean and Safe Program. After that, ten lucky attendees can compete in the iconic Hodad’s Burger Eating Contest (4:30 p.m.). Fast-paced and funny, these contests always draw huge crowds and make for great between-band entertainment.
Meanwhile, anyone with an artistic disposition may want to take part in one of the OB Street Fair’s favorite events for all ages, the painting of two community murals. Participants purchase a square for $25, with paint and help provided. The finished art will be sealed and placed in the community when completed. Funds raised at these events go to the OB Clean and Safe Program, helping to pay for community improvements to the area.
Knox enjoys seeing all the smiling faces each year. “That’s especially true of the kids. It’s wonderful to see everyone out there so happy,” she remarked. “That said, her favorite part of the event is the end.
“It always amazes me how quickly the street reverts to normal after the hustle and bustle of the day. Our volunteers and staff do a great job, and by 10 p.m. or so, you couldn’t tell there had been a Street Fair that day. And then we start thinking about next year.”
Traffic is always a consideration, with parking at a premium. Fortunately, several options may help to ease the situation. For bicyclists, beginning at 10 a.m., OBMA will provide a free bike valet area on Bacon Street at Newport Avenue.
Alternately, those with cars can drop off their vehicles and grab a free ride, courtesy of the Old Town Trolley, from either the Sunrunner Lot at the corner of Pacific Highway and Sea World Drive or the lot near Robb Field at 2244 Bacon St. The trolley will run continuously from 9:30 a.m. until 9 p.m., dropping passengers off in the Artist’s Alley section.
Additionally, there will be two small ADA parking lots available, on Santa Monica Ave. between Bacon St. and Abbott St., and at Ocean Beach Elementary School.
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