Family Fun Supports the Arts at the Firehouse Family Festival

By Hacienda Network Staff Writer

Local residents will be able to enjoy themselves and support the arts at the same time during the Firehouse Family Festival, to be held Sunday, October 2 in downtown Pleasanton. Proceeds from the event, which includes a 5K fun run, a carnival, a barbecue, and live music, benefit the conversion of Old Fire Station Number One to a new arts center which will include a 240-seat theatre, a gallery, and classrooms for arts instruction.

The day kicks off at 8:00 am with the Pump House 5K Fun Run/Walk, which travels on a course through a portion of downtown and the Alameda County Fairgrounds before finishing on Division Street. Registration begins at 7:00 am and registration is $20 in advance and $25 the day of the event. Families of four or more may pre-register for a fee of $10 per person. Participants will receive a t-shirt commemorating the event, refreshments, and a goody bag, with medals being awarded to the first three finishers in each age group. Forms and additional information are available at www.onyourmarkevents.com. Call Joanie Fields at (925) 462-4312 for details.

The festivities continue with a Kid's Dash on Railroad Avenue in front of the Old Firehouse at 10:00 am. For a registration fee of $15, participating children will receive t-shirts and a wristband which allows them to play carnival games at the Family Carnival, which starts at 11:00 am in Delucchi Park on First Street. (Wristbands will be available for $10 for those not participating in the Kid's Dash.)

The Family Carnival, which continues until 4:00 pm, will feature something for everyone. Kids will enjoy finding their way through the rat race maze, playing on slides and bouncy houses, taking pony rides, getting their faces painted, and visiting with animals at a children's petting zoo. Everyone will enjoy the Meadowlark Dairy Ice Cream Frosty Walk as well as tours of the firehouse and a display of works by local artists.

Tony Macchiano's award-winning ribs and side dishes will be available for lunch starting at 11:30 am. Tickets for a delicious meal from the Pleasanton chef will cost $15 for adults and $8 for children and seniors over 65.

The musical entertainment begins just before noon at the Chan Henderson Bandstand in Wayside Park with a ceremony marking the kick-off of the Firehouse fundraising program. As the clock strikes twelve, the Pleasanton Community Concert Band and the Cool Tones will provide an afternoon of great music, thanks to the generosity of the event's sponsors, the Tri-Valley Herald and Centex Homes. Listeners are encouraged to bring blankets or small chairs to enjoy the show.

For more information about the Firehouse Family Festival, contact Joanie Fields at (925) 462-4312 or Roz Wright (925) 484-0614. For more information on the Pleasanton Cultural Arts Council, access their web site at www.pleasantonarts.org.

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