This year is the 95th annual NORTH BEACH BAZAAR, a Columbus Day celebration of Italian culture and heritage. It takes place in the churchyard of Saints Peter and Paul, just across the way from Washington Square Park, on Saturday and Sunday October 11th-12th from 11am-7pm. In addition to lots of fun activities like bocce, batting cages, a salami toss (!!), and Halloween crafts stations, A16 will be there (Shelley Lindgren is a co-chair of the event), serving pizzas out of their wood-fired pizza truck, along with beverages from Rye on the Road and Campari. On Sunday evening from 5pm-7pm, you can get a cioppino dinner from A16 for only $20, including salad and tiramisu. 666 Filbert St. between Stockton and Powell.
On Sunday October 12th, catch the annual ROCKRIDGE OUT & ABOUT FESTIVAL from 12pm-6pm. The festival includes food and drink from Rockridge Market Hall merchants like the Pasta Shop, the Cheese Counter, and Marin Sun Farms. On the Chef Stage, check out demonstrations like a Parmesan wheel cutting or a dessert demo from A16 Rockridge. There will also be live music, dancing, and autumnal activities for kids like pumpkin pairing and a prize wheel. College Ave. between Claremont and Manila, Oakland.
On Thursday October 16th, enjoy the heat at the RED HOT ROUNDUP from 5pm-8:30pm. The celebration of spice and fire is happening at Bay Meadows, the former racetrack, and is a fundraiser for the San Mateo Fire Department’s Burn Foundation fund. October is fire prevention awareness month, so go get yourself schooled! You can nab a spot in the Beat the Heat Hellfire Challenge, where you’ll compete against firefighters eating spicy foods. Lots of food trucks will be in attendance, as well, if you prefer to eat like a semi-civilized person. Check out vittles from Red Sauce Meatballs, Little Green Cyclo, and Naked Chorizo, plus beer from Grape and Grain. Tickets are $5 for adults, free for kids, and $20 to participate in the Hellfire Challenge. Paddock Park, Derby Ave. at Baze, San Mateo.
Pasta for days at the North Beach Bazaar 2013. Photo from Facebook.
