Pacific Grove 59th Annual Good Old Days - April 9 - 10, 2016

The Pacific Grove Chamber of Commerce 59th annual Good Old Days 2016 took place this past weekend April 9 and 10 in downtown Pacific Grove on Lighthouse Avenue between 13th Street and Congress Avenue.

Adventures of a Home Town Tourist arrived early around 8:30 to take in the excitement of the set-up. In Jewell Park, home of the Pacific Grove Christmas Tree, the Kiwanis Club was busy feeding the early risers pancakes - as Kiwanis Club member Professor Robert "Bob" Blade provided the entertainment with a little Scott Joplin on the Yamaha.  The smell of the oil and pancake batter on the griddle reminded me of a bygone time.  And that was just the beginning of Good Old Days.

Walking down the eleven short blocks of Lighthouse during the early hours was a vision of excitement  and anticipation the calm before the storm a bit overcast but "Pagrovians" are not phased 
it is just another day in paradise. Vendors are hard at work preparing for what is considered the largest music and arts festival in the tri-county area - offering five entertainment venues and more than 230 food and craft vendors.  '  The best part, admission is free!  Pacific Grove, also known as "Butterfly Town U.S.A.,  was founded in 1875 by a group from the Methodist church, it has grown and changed over the years but today it is still considered "Americas Last Hometown" for good reason. 
Tradition is honored - the Feast of the Lanterns began in 1903 and continues today, the Butterfly Parade began and continues since 1939 and Good Old Days which began in 1959 still thrives and this year is expected, rain or shine, to draw 35,000 to 45,000 people.   By midday there was already a wait at the carnival rides. It was hard to decide which hydraulically controlled ride we wanted to try...

...the one that promised a pirate adventure...

...a wild raft ride...

...or the one that would provide motion sickness.

Personally, I will go for the Good Old Fun Slide. 

At the other end of town there were five stages to chose from over 60 bands or shows.  So we rocked out 

to San Francisco's renowned Psychedelic Rock and Blues Jam band Moonalice, whose single "It's 4:20 Somewhere" has been downloaded over 4.6 million times.  The band bio states their manager, Steve Parish was a Grateful Dead family member and co-founder of Jerry Garcia Band.  

At the 17th Street Grille Stage we listened to some budding singers from Minarets High School of O'Neals, California (that is east of Madera, California).  

and listened as the Cypressaires 

of the Monterey Peninsula warm up their vocal cords.

The BookWorks Dance Stage featured 

partner dancing.

Finally it was time to eat

and drink. 

Beer and wine were added to the Good Old Days venue three years ago.  They are served on the premises of three different restaurants:  Jeninni Kitchen and Wine Bar, Crema and 17th Grill.  You could also find a Beer and Wine Garden in the patio of Robobank sponsored by the Pacific Grove Rotary Club.  

35 food vendors lined a dog free zone.  

There was deep fried...

smoked...

barbecued...

...popped...

...Bratwursted...

and plain old fashion fair food, the options endless. 

 With our canine friends back in tow. 

We made an attempt to 

shop every one of the 220 Arts & Crafts vendors

and get Christmas shopping 

dialed in early this year. 

Mom, dad this is perfect for the wall over my water bowl!!! 

 This guy is just crying out for me to take him home.

Until next time - Happy Adventures!!!!! 

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Photography
LA Momboisse and RM Momboisse

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