2017 OB STREET FAIR SPECIAL EDITION SPECIAL EDITION: THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 2017 | WWW.SDNEWS.COM Contact Lanz Correia 619.564.6355 CA BRE#01883404 FREE $35 LESSON or REHEARSAL ROOM FIRST TIME CUSTOMERS. WITH THIS COUPON. EXPIRES 8/31/17 REHEARSAL ROOMS | RECORDING 619.255.9594 | 3360 SPORTS ARENA BLVD. | SUITE A | SAN DIEGO | ROCKANDROLLSANDIEGO.COM LESSONS | RENTALS | REPAIRS PAGE 2 | THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 2017 | THE PENINSULA BEACON 38TH ANNUAL OCEAN BEACH STREET FAIR & CHILI COOK-OFF FESTIVAL SATURDAY, JUNE 24, 2017 •10AM - 8PM •OBSTREETFAIR.COM •OCEANBEACHSANDIEGO.COM ‘Summer of Love’ at OB Street Fair and Chili Cook-Off BY BART MENDOZA | THE BEACON One of San Diego’s most beloved ‘There’s so much to see annual traditions, the Ocean Beach and do, it’s hard to pick Street Fair and Chili Cook-Off, returns a favorite thing, but the for the 38th year on June 24, along Newport Avenue. Themed this year food, and especially the to celebrate the 50th anniversary of music, are big draws.’ the 1967 “Summer of Love,” the free, all ages, street fair kicks off at 10 a.m., DENNY KNOX with more than 70,000 people OBMA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR expected to attend and plenty of music, art, food and fun for everyone. this is an all-ages event.” Wigler is Beyond the usual enjoyment of walk- happy to be involved with the event ing around the event and taking “It gives me the opportunity to give things in, the street fair offers a myri- back to my community, which has ad of opportunities to get involved, given me so much,” he said. “It’s a from making music to painting way to be involved and not just pick- murals. ing up trash, this is something I like to Fairgoers will find five stages fea- do.” He also likes the collaborative turing a wide range of San Diego’s nature of the event. “It’s great to have top talent, carnival rides and games a chance to work with Michael Head for all ages, a chili cook-off, a beach- and everyone at the OBMA, there is side beer garden, a community mural, such a strong sense of collaboration.” an artist’s alley with unique creations, Head, for his part, considers music a musical petting zoo giving young to be vital to the event. “It kind of dic- fairgoers an opportunity to try an tates your day,” he said. “Where instrument and much more. The annual Ocean Beach Street Fair and Chili Cook-Off Festival offers tons of fun, chili and music for everyone. PHOTO BY JIM GRANT you're gonna be and when. I think it's “It’s amazing to see how the street draws.” town heroes, rockers Bad Science Fic- are open to all types of music, but a major part of the draw. I mean transforms into the street fair,” said The music at the street fair this year tion. there are some guidelines. “We want music, with the ocean and chili? Ocean Beach Main Street Association includes such names as groove band According to Ted Wigler, who quality of course, someone with a What could be better?” executive director, Denny Knox. DJ Williams with members of Karl books the main stage in addition to name that means something outside, Beyond appealing to new audi- “There’s so much to see and do, it’s Denson’s Tiny Universe, singer-song- Winston’s, he and co-booker music but not too big where it might cause ences, artists involved are happy with hard to pick a favorite thing, but the writer Jeff Berkeley, award-winning producer Michael Head, who also problems from a crowd standpoint,” the overall positive nature of the food, and especially the music, are big indie rockers The Verigolds and home books the weekly Farmer’s Market, he said. “We’re very cognizant that SEE FAIR, Page 13 Enjoy the OB STREET FAIR Sunset Garage General Automotive Repair Including State Certified Smog Inspections - Safety/New Buyers Inspections Factory Service Maintenance Performed - Complete Tune-up Service Major Engine Overhaul - Cooling Systems - Diagnostic Codes - Brakes READERS CHOICE AWARDS RETAIL/SERVICES 2016 Voted #1 Auto Repair And a Readers Choice 9 years in a row 10% OFF 619-224-2929 our already low, low prices 1946 Bacon St. Ocean Beach (with coupon - expires 8-15-17) Visit us at www.sunsetgarageob.com THE PENINSULA BEACON | THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 2017 | PAGE 3 38TH ANNUAL OCEAN BEACH STREET FAIR & CHILI COOK-OFF FESTIVAL SATURDAY, JUNE 24, 2017 •10AM - 8PM •OBSTREETFAIR.COM •OCEANBEACHSANDIEGO.COM Who’s got the best chili? Taste for yourself at the annual cook-off The with Judge’s Award and People’s Choice BY BART MENDOZA | THE BEACON Ocean categories. Judging criteria is set to Beach Street Fair offers up all manner include consistency, smell, color and of tasty delicacies, but nothing com- taste, with special awards for “Hottest pares to the fare at the day’s signature Chili” and “Best Costumes, Booths and event, the Chili Cook-Off. Located on Decorations.” the grass at the foot of Newport According to Akey, the latter is part Avenue, just a few feet from the surf, of what makes the event so much fun. the friendly competition has two cate- “People go all out for this, with different gories, amateur and restaurant, giving themes and props, to get everyone to chili fans the opportunity to taste dish- vote for them in the ‘People’s Choice’ es from more than a dozen chefs. award. It’s not sedate, if anything they The Chili Cook-Off is now in its 33rd can go a little crazy,” he joked. The com- year, founded in 1984 by current petition to draw attention to a particu- OBMA board of directors’ member lar chili can sometimes extend to the Mike Akey. Money raised by the event ingredients as well, which in past years helps fund Ocean Beach’s annual 4th have included everything from alliga- of July fireworks display, which takes tor to rattlesnake. “With the amateur place off the OB Pier. category, anything goes,” he said. Tickets for tasting and judging the After three decades plus, Akey various entrants is $2 for two servings remains enthusiastic about the event. or you can get a people’s choice ticket “It’s a really nice thing that we can raise for $20, allowing you to sample chili funds for the fireworks,” he said. “But I from all the competitors. Tasting starts also like the sense of community with at 11 a.m., but you’ll want to get there the cook-off and the fair in general. early, the lineup for admission can start Everyone is invited, but most of the par- up to an hour earlier, with the last of ticipants are from Ocean Beach. It’s a the chili gone by 2 p.m. In addition to small beach town, gathering together to the competitor’s chili, another 60 gal- have a good time.” lons of house chili will be provided, There has been one change for Akey with both meat and vegetarian options in the ensuing years. The noted chili available. connoisseur no longer samples the This year, there will be 15 amateur day’s entries. “I’ll only do it to break a and five restaurant competitors, both tie,” he said. OB Noodle House had an interesting container to serve chili out of at the cook-off in 2015 PHOTO BY JIM GRANT NEWPORT PIZZA & ALE HOUSE Join Us ForOB Street Fair & 4th of July STOP IN FOR A NICE COLD CRAFT BEER & A SLICE OF PIE READERS CHOICE Voted BEST BEER SELECTION & PIZZA AWARDS BEST RESTAURANTS A Consistent Award Winner 24 CRAFT BEERS ON TAP • 100 BOTTLED BEERS PIZZA BY THE SLICE + FREE DELIVERY IN OB WWW.OBPIZZASHOP.COM 5050 NEWPORT AVE. • OCEAN BEACH • 619.224.4540 PAGE 4 | THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 2017 | THE PENINSULA BEACON 38TH ANNUAL OCEAN BEACH STREET FAIR & CHILI COOK-OFF FESTIVAL SATURDAY, JUNE 24, 2017 •10AM - 8PM •OBSTREETFAIR.COM •OCEANBEACHSANDIEGO.COM Area’s best musical artists will play across Street Fair’s five stages BY BART MENDOZA | THE BEACON p.m.) Finally, the Main Stage, located right at With its mix of art, food, music, surf and the edge of the beach, has an impressive ros- fun, the annual Ocean Beach Street Fair is ter including indie rock quartet, The Verigolds easily one of San Diego’s top summer attrac- (1:45 p.m.), who took home the 2017 San tions. As wonderful as all those elements are, Diego Music Award for “Best Indie Album,” for the biggest draw is the music, with dozens of their disc “For Margaret.” Other notables the area’s best artists, across genres, playing include country band, Behind the Wagon, on five stages. It’s a full day of great tunes who recently recorded the official San Diego with something for everybody. Padres song for radio station 94.9 and DJ This year’s official street fair theme cele- Williams, who will be performing with mem- brates the 50th anniversary of the “Summer bers of Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe for a set of of Love,” with an exceptionally strong line- music that’s sure to get the crowd dancing. up booked by Ted Wigler, who handled the Beyond listening, fairgoers will have the Main Stage while performing the same duties opportunity to play music themselves. Local at Winston’s, alongside Michael Head, of music school / studio, Rock ’n’ Roll San Diego, Cabeza Records, who booked the other stages. will provide a musical petting zoo on New- Fairgoers will find a truly diverse selection of port Avenue, allowing folks to try out musical performers from kid groups to tribute bands, instruments.