NorthParkMainStreet

North Park plays host to diverse events throughout the year, offering something for everyone – from family friendly to bust-out arts activism! The North Park Main Street merchant’s association sponsors four highly celebrated events annually – drawing tens of thousands of folks - from locals passionate about their neighborhood to visitors from around San Diego eager to be part of the North Park happening!

North Park Main Street-Sponsored Annual Events

Taste of North Park - Date TBD

A Taste of North Park has received rave reviews from both tasters and participating businesses alike. More than 30 restaurants, microbreweries, local galleries and boutiques threw open their doors on a Saturday afternoon and spilled out onto sidewalks with tantalizing sample cuisine to tickle the senses. From cafés and bistros to five-star dining, the event afforded foodie fanatics from the North Park hood and from all over San Diego the perfect opportunity to sample an array of delicious and diverse cuisines specially prepared by top chefs throughout the neighborhood. Participants indulged their palates in handmade gourmet dishes, All-American favorites, specialties from around the world, locally harvested foods, divine desserts and delightful drinks. And as folks maneuvered the tasty treats, they were also able to drop in on participating galleries and boutiques and quench their thirst with local microbrews or relax with a glass of wine. From pear and gorgonzola pizza to cream cheese macadamia nut pie ….spicy fresh ceviche to 1 oz self-serve shots of premiere Italian wines… This event is clearly destined to become a food and wine lovers’ tradition! Proceeds from this event will benefit North Park Main Street, a non-profit organization committed to the revitalization of the North Park Business Improvement District and North Park’s historic Downtown. www.tastenorthpark.com

Toyland Parade - Date TBD

This classic holiday parade has been delighting people of all ages since 1931.The parade, initially sponsored by the North Park Business Club, thrilled onlookers every year until 1941 when the event, scheduled for the evening of Dec 12th, was cancelled following the Dec 7th Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and was suspended for five years during World War II. Following the war, the parade resumed and mushroomed in size and notoriety. In 1949, thirty inflated balloons made their debut, and in 1954 live reindeer pulled Santa’s sleigh as 300,000 revelers cheered from the sidewalks. By 1955, the parade boasted 40 floats and 2500 participants. The parade continued to swell with pride throughout the 1950s - becoming one of the nation’s most famous, second only to the Tournament of Roses in Pasadena.

The selection of the Toyland Parade Queen became a major County-wide event, leaving many young girls breathless with anticipation of the announcement of who would be crowned, and attracting the statewide baton twirling champion! By 1957 the parade had grown to 35 floats, 65 horsemen, 25 bands & 20 additional performing units. In 1958 the North Park neon sign was replaced with a new sign proudly declaring “North Park – Home of the Famous Toyland Parade”. Among the parade’s past Grand Marshalls were Mickey Mouse, Snow White, Raquel Welch, Jay North, aka Dennis the Menace of the highly popular TV show, Baby Shamu, Joan Embery of the San Diego Zoo, and Ernie Myers, a KSDO personality.

Things took a turn in the late 1960s as the business district fell on harder times. The North Park sign was removed for repairs in 1967 and was never returned. The parade was cancelled the following year, 1968, due to construction of I-805, and the famous holiday ritual subsequently lapsed for almost 20 years due to the decline of the North Park downtown as shoppers flocked to the new suburban shopping malls. Happily, in 1985 the parade was revived, and it has continued since as if it never skipped a beat. (In 1993, a new replica of the iconic North Park Sign was replaced on University Avenue) Today, the parade draws 20-30,000 spectators and includes bands, floats, equestrian groups, community groups and a special group of grand marshals. www.toylandparade.com

2012 Festival of Arts Poster Competition

 The North Park Festival of Arts Committee is pleased to announce the 2012 North Park Festival of Arts Poster Competition.  Artists are welcome to submit artwork to be featured on the North Park Festival of Arts' poster, website, and other event related promotional material.   For more information please view the flier:

Poster Art Competition (478.3 KB)

North Park Festival of the Arts - Sunday, May 20th, 2012

A day of arts, culture and old-fashioned family fun – attracts over 30,000 festival enthusiasts each year. Something for everyone including juried fine arts, handcrafts, five stages of live entertainment, enticing vendor booths, food, drink, and artisans from around the globe….plus a Festival of Beers sponsored by San Diego CityBeat and the San Diego Music Foundation representing the finest microbreweries in San Diego. Four stages of live music: on stage some of San Diego’s hottest bands - global sounds from places like Ghana, Iran, Bali, Africa, Ireland; plus folk, classical guitar, jazz, rock and punk. And dance troupes from all over the region. Special attractions for children, including art activities, child aerial art/ circus acts, and much more. Sponsored by North Park Main Street with support from the City of San Diego’s Commission for Arts and Culture and the San Diego County Board of Supervisors. www.northparkfestivalofarts.com

Merchant/ Artist- Sponsored Events

Ray at Night

Eight year-old Ray at Night continues to sparkle and grow! Held the 2nd Sat of the month, it’ is the largest and longest running monthly art walk in San Diego. The gallery walk event showcases over 24 merchants on the narrow, one-way Ray Street between University Ave and North Park Way. “This is the hub of arts and culture of San Diego,” says Gustaf Rooth, owner of Planet Rooth Studios and founder of Ray at Night. Ray at Night now attracts Saturday night crowds of up to 2000 who enjoy viewing art of various mediums including oil, acrylic and mixed media painting, sculpture, photography, furniture, ceramics, jewelry and other fine arts. Rooth helped to secure grants for streetscaping upgrades along Ray Street when the area wasn’t so appealing. As the popularity of the event escalated, property values did too. “Now people want to move their businesses here” he says. Laura Crow, owner of Red Crow Studio says “There is no other place I’d open up. I believe in the arts, in community, in the neighborhood. Ray Street is the only place that I know of where that all happens on a daily basis.” 

North Park Community Association - Sponsored Events

Bird Park Summer Concerts

Kick back or kick up your heels to the tunes of local bands at free concerts during the 3 summer months. Since 2003 these family-friendly concerts have drawn hundreds of neighbors for relaxed summer fun and good music at Bird Park overlooking the City skyline. The Bird Park Summer Concert Series offers a wide range of music styles, from Cajon and blues to rock and jazz. Bird Park is located next to the Morley Field Sports Complex at 28th and Thorn Streets. Concerts run during the dinner hour from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Bring the family and friends and pack a picnic! Arrive early, find a cool spot on the grass lawn and lay out your spread. (glass, grills, and alcohol are not permitted, and four-legged friends should come accessorized with their favorite leash). Contact Lynn Elliott at lelliott@northparksd.org This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to help with the 2010 concerts. www.northparksd.org