CARLSBAD: Popular street fair set for Sunday

Event's expected to draw upwards of 100,000 people

By BARBARA HENRY - Staff Writer | Tuesday, April 29, 2008 11:06 AM PDT ∞

CARLSBAD ---- Bathing beauties will model swim suits in a much-expanded fashion show during Sunday's massive downtown Carlsbad street fair.

And shuttle buses moving to and from the popular festival will be bigger, but fewer in number this year.

Otherwise, the 34th annual Carlsbad Village Street Faire will look just as it has in recent years, organizers said this week, adding there's no need to fix what isn't broken. The festival already attracts upwards of 100,000 people.

"People like it ---- obviously, we get so many people," said Angela Holman, communications director for the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce.

The chamber sponsors the one-day event, which is frequently billed as the nation's largest single-day street fair. Containing more than 900 booths, the festival shuts down Grand Avenue from Carlsbad Boulevard to Jefferson Street and all the accompanying cross streets. The shopping begins at 8 a.m. and continues until 5 p.m.

Unlike some smaller street fairs in the city, this event has no set theme. Booths sell everything from thousand-dollar sculptures to $2 toe rings.

Children have a play zone with a rock climbing wall, a bouncing room and a super-sized inflatable slide. Adults have a beer garden area with a big screen TV. Food options range from egg rolls to kettle corn.

Organizers say the biggest change this year is the size of the fashion show hosted by The Body Bar spa.

"It's going to be a huge show ... we're so excited," said spa owner Gina Del Bene.

The show will feature 40 models --- about twice as many as last year ---- strutting down the runway in summer wear, bridal fashions and evening dress, she added. Showings will occur at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. in the spa's back parking area on Grand Avenue.

Del Bene has no doubt what part of the show will be the most eye-catching.

"We have swim suits from Eve7 and they are hot," she said.

In between the fashion shows, the spa will offer demonstrations of its services including spray-on tanning.

"It's a perfect opportunity to showcase all the talent we have at The Body Bar," Del Bene said.

The only other real change is the shuttle bus system. The chamber has gone with a different company this year and the buses will hold more people, but be fewer in number, Holman said. Last year, the chamber had 11 buses and this year there will be eight.

"Before they held 26 passengers and now they hold 50 passengers," she said.

Shuttle buses will run at least every half hour between the festival and the two overflow parking areas --- the Poinsettia Coaster train station and the western end of the Westfield Plaza Camino Real shopping center.

The train station lot tends to fill up early in the day, so people who anticipate arriving at lunch time should probably head to the mall where more parking spaces are available, organizers said.

34th Annual Carlsbad Village Street Faire

When: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday

Where: Grand Avenue from Carlsbad Boulevard to Jefferson Street, and all of the cross streets

What's planned: More than 900 sales booths, including 50 food booths; a children's play zone with rides and crafts; a beer garden with big screen TV

Affiliated events:

-- The Body Bar Salon & Day Spa Hair and Fashion Shows, at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., in the Packard Dental parking lot off Grand Avenue.

-- The Kiwanis Club of Carlsbad's pancake breakfast from 7 a.m. to noon. The $6 meal includes pancakes, sausage, coffee and juice.

Shuttle bus lots: Northwest corner of Sears at Westfield Plaza Camino Real (Highway 78 and Jefferson) and at the Poinsettia Coaster Station (Poinsettia exit off of Interstate 5).

Info: Angela Holman at (760) 931-8400 or visit www.carlsbad.org