Jen McElroy
Staff Writer

As the school year comes close to ending and summer is approaching, so are the warm nights, which can be enjoyed by the La Verne Family Festival and Street Fair.

The street fair started Thursday night and will last all summer. Vendors of all kinds lined up along D Street from Bonita Avenue to Second Street.

Approaching the street fair from Bonita is a section based for kids. This area includes a bounce house, a blow up slide, obstacle course and pirate ship. In addition is a petting zoo and pony rides. One big hit in the petting zoo was the tub of baby chicks that sat in the center. Kids enjoyed picking them up, holding them and petting them.

Along the street, vendors have booths selling many different and unique products including clothes, services and accessories. There were vendors selling towels, hats, indian style dresses, handmade jewelry, and summer attire. Some services offered were yoga classes and air conditioning service. Lotions, candles, and incense were all sold at numerous booths, offering a sensual, romantic, and good smelling feel. One interesting and unique item for sale was a hand made marshmallow guns, put together with pvc pipes.

As Third Street approaches, so does the decadent and delicious smell of food. Food choices are variant enough to suit any appetite. The biggest stand includes different barbeque items including sausages and tri-tip. To help satisfy that Mexican craving, Jake’s Cantina is also available. A line is always present at everyone’s favorite, Kettle Corn. For those who just want a simple snack, the Snack Bar carries pretzels, churros and nachos.

To help with the sweet tooth, there is also a funnel cake stand.

As the fair continued farther down the street, there were more apparel and specialty stands.Some people even combined two businesses into one.

“I create Web sites, and advertise how to make a successful one for someone's business. I made one for my wife’s baby blanket making business, which I am also trying to sell for her too,” entrepreneur Jason Ward said. Relaxation was available near Circle K where there were message stands.

Homemade and restaurant made foods followed, as well as the produce section. A variety of food was offered in a wide range of choices. First year participants in the street fair the Powell family brought cobblers and mini pies from their bakery, the Gourmet Cobble Factory, in Pasadena.

“We don’t have a clue how we will do, but we expect things to go well,” Cliff Powell, owner, said. There were also booths selling olives, assortments of honey, different varieties of hummus, salsa of all kinds, and the street ended with a fruit and produce stand.

The fair stopped at Second and D Street with a three man band. Sounds of the guitars added ambiance to the festivities.

With the wide variety of vendors, the La Verne Family Festival and Street Fair has a positive outlook for the summer.

“I really enjoyed the fair this year. There were a lot of new people out there selling things, and it gave me a chance to shop for things at a cheaper price,” said Jala Eaton, University of La Verne senior multi-media major. As the weather warms up, more people will take part in the festival offered by the city of La Verne.

Jen McElroy can be reached at jmcelroy@ulv.edu.