Whether you’re enjoying youth performances in San Francisco, taking the kids to a food festival in San Jose or filling up on pork and beer in Oakland, there’s no excuse to stay at home with so many fun events happening along the Capitol Corridor!
Mission Youth Arts Festival: 3/10 – 3/11, San Francisco
Happening: 1pm – 4pm
Head over to San Francisco this weekend for a free outdoor festival celebrating the Mission District’s diverse and talented youth performing groups at Mission Youth Arts Festival. The Mission District’s Potrero del Sol Park (formerly La Raza Park) at Potrero and Cesar Chavez streets will be transformed into a high energy outdoor stage featuring performances by taiko players, sizzling samba drummers, folkloric dancers, Mariachi musicians, martial artists, hip-hop dancers, and even spoken word poets. Local youth groups will provide information on their programs and youth services. On Sunday, the public will be invited to participate in free, 30-minute mini classes held at Dance Mission (3316 24th Street), in the styles showcased at the festival!
Getting there: Take the Capitol Corridor to the Richmond Station or Oakland Coliseum Station, connect to BART and ride to the 24th Street Station, which is less than a mile walk from the park.
Kids Food Festival: 3/11, San Jose
Happening: 12pm – 4pm
Have picky eaters at home? Expand their palates when they see what’s cooking at Kids Food Festival hosted by the Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose. Kids of all ages are encouraged to have fun while learning about healthy eating through delicious recipes. Meet the healthy food challenge with a balanced-plate scavenger hunt, use pedal power to whip up a healthy fruit smoothie on the Blender Bike, create “Ugly Fruit” masterpieces, and prepare food kits for distribution with Rise Against Hunger. The event is held as part of the museum’s strategic commitment to promoting the benefits of healthy food choices, drinking water, and getting adequate physical activity.
Getting there: Take the train to the San Jose-Diridon Station. The museum is within a mile walk of the station and is also accessible by the VTA, with a free Transit Transfer from the Capitol Corridor.
Bacon and Beer Festival: 3/10, Oakland
Happening: 2:30pm – 5pm
Get ready to live high on the hog at the 5th Annual Bacon and Beer Festival in Oakland’s Jack London Square. Attendees will enjoy dozens of craft brew samples from regional breweries, creative bacon-infused dishes, and “bacon-y” drinks for devoted pork fans. The festival will take place at the Market Building, 55 Harrison Avenue. Tickets are $45 and $65, available for purchase online and on Facebook. All proceeds from the Bacon and Beer Festival will benefit Oakland Grown in their effort to build a thriving and equitable local economy by encouraging shoppers to direct their dollars to independent Oakland businesses, makers, and artists.
Getting there: Take the train to the Oakland Jack London Square Station and you’ll be a short walk from the festivities.
Written by Sylvia Sheehan
Photo courtesy Marco Sanchez