ENCINITAS — Saturday morning, before sunrise, crews will close South Coast Highway 101 from D Street to J Street. By 9 a.m., the road that normally carries traffic through downtown will be a pedestrian zone, lined with vendor booths and three live music stages, with a beer garden anchoring one end.
This is the 41st Encinitas Spring Street Fair. The event is organized by the Encinitas 101 MainStreet Association, with Freddie's Place Animal Hospital as presenting sponsor and Kennedy & Associates handling vendor coordination. It runs Saturday, April 25 and Sunday, April 26, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. Admission is free.
What's There
More than 450 vendors are scheduled. The Encinitas 101 MainStreet Association describes the focus as arts, handmade crafts, antiques, and ethnic imports — a mix that has been the Spring Fair's identity for four decades.
The beer garden runs noon to 6 p.m. Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. It requires a separate ticket and a valid ID. The Saturday main stage lineup, in the beer garden, opens with DJ ManCat at noon, followed by Surf Birdz at 12:30, more ManCat at 2, Cappo Kelley at 2:30, and another ManCat set at 4. Two additional stages — at the Lumberyard Courtyard and the Hansen's Community Stage — host their own programming.
There are children's rides. There is international food. The format has not changed dramatically in 41 years, which is part of why people come.
Parking, Bikes, and Logistics
The street closure runs from 3 a.m. Saturday through 7 p.m. Sunday. A free bike valet operates at both ends of the festival, at D Street and J Street. City Hall at 561 South Vulcan Avenue and the Moonlight Beach lot at 409 Fourth Street are the two designated public parking areas.
For anyone who would rather avoid the crowds, the same weekend brings the 52nd Annual Olivenhain Beer and Brat Festival, held Sunday at the Olivenhain Meeting Hall grounds. Tickets there run up to $50 for adults at the door.
Source: Encinitas 101 MainStreet Association, Kennedy & Associates.