Overview: Rolando Street Fair
“This year, the big change is that it is 100% all volunteers,” Perez said. “Nobody's getting paid to manage or produce the street fair. So it presents different challenges, but it feels more like we own it. It's our fair. It's done by volunteers. It's done by people that live in the neighborhood.”
The Rolando Community Council will hold its 28th annual Rolando Street Fair Sunday in a vibrant celebration of community and the neighborhood’s 100th anniversary.
From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., an entire block of Rolando Boulevard will be filled with more than 100 retail and arts vendors and around a dozen local food vendors.
For the kids, Rolando Street Fair offers a $5 Kids Zone with bouncy houses, games and a climbing wall and for the adults, a beer garden selling locally crafted brews.
However, organizer and RCC President Roberto Perez is looking forward most to the all-day live music.
“I think for me, that is the main draw of the street fair,” Perez said. “We have cool artists that are local, and people get to hang out and enjoy, and it’s free. It’s a big neighborhood party.”
All five performers are based out of Southern California, with most from San Diego.
From Afro/Latin funk to surf rock to country, Perez says the goal was to have a little something for everyone that “fits the theme of an outdoor party.”
While organizers expect a turnout of 10,000, it was just a handful of RCC members who made the Rolando Street Fair possible.
“This year, the big change is that it is 100% all volunteers,” Perez said. “Nobody’s getting paid to manage or produce the street fair. So it presents different challenges, but it feels more like we own it. It’s our fair. It’s done by volunteers. It’s done by people that live in the neighborhood.”
Previously, the RCC outsourced event planners to help manage vendors and other logistics, but could not afford one this year.
Another change is the inclusion of a historical presentation from the La Mesa Historical Society to celebrate Rolando Village’s 100th anniversary.
All proceeds from the Rolando Street Fair go directly to the RCC. If you are interested in volunteering at the event, visit the RCC website.
