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Claremonters hit the streets for new family festival Claremont Village West had a much different look on Wednesday. The inaugural "Celebrate Claremont" family festival hit the streets with upwards of 1,200 patrons attending. The event was sponsored by the city, the Chamber of Commerce, and Volunteer Network International (VNI), a non-profit organization. The participating vendors represented a cross-section of local businesses and non-profit organizations, with 53 percent drawn from Claremont. Booths lining West Bonita hosted fresh food sellers, clothiers, and other merchants, and a variety of community groups. There were two live bands, one at each end of the stretch. A special children's area on Oberlin included a rock-climbing wall, giant inflatable jumpers, and a petting zoo. Approved in late February by the city council, the event joins the Green Market in the Packing House as one of the Village's only Wednesday night events. It runs weekly through October, and resume in April of next year. "People now have another reason to come to Claremont and to experience it in a new way," says Leslie Baer, a sponsor from Volunteer Network International and one of the event's founders. "We want to make [visiting the city] a new habit among non-Claremont residents." Organizers envisioned the event as a way to invigorate local business. Thus many participating vendors sought out the festival as a way to cope with the economy. "We're hoping that a booth here will increase our customer base," said Cynthia Depello, one of the proprietors of Bath Junkie, a franchise on Indian Hill. "We've been struggling a bit, but we're here forever." "We're not doing as well as we were," concurred Sara Barron of Sara Rose Design, a florist located in Pomona. "It's even difficult here at the festival. There are local growers that can sell bouquets for a much lower price."
Overall community response to the event seemed positive. "I was very pleased with the first of what will be several family festivals," said Mayor Corey Calaycay, who also attended the event. "Now we're looking at potentially expanding it by another hour or so. It would be great way to grow attendance over the summer, which will be good for all of us, and for our merchants in the village especially." "It was very nice, very enjoyable," said local resident Maria Carranza, who attended with her family. "We especially liked the music. I think we'll definitely come in the future." "The event seemed to be welcomed by the community," said event manager Oscar de León, who has also been involved in managing Claremont's Sunday Farmer's Market. "It's not easy to start something new like this, but for a first-time event, it ran very smoothly." Event organizers hope to turn a profit in 2010, when the event returns for a new season. Profits will be donated to Xela Aid, a service project that benefits a village in Guatemala through Volunteer Network International. For next week, patrons should expect a layout change that creates new traffic flow, as well as more music and entertainment. The festival begins at 5pm on Wednesdays. For more information, visit www.claremontwednesdays.org.
— Elise Viebeck |
