 "Photo: MCT Campus")
On Aug. 9, a crowd stood on fifth avenue counting down for the silver anniversary of re-lighting the beloved and historic Hillcrest Sign. A multicolored stilt walker, known as the “Spirit of Hillcrest,” was met with a chorus of excited cheers and fireworks as he had the honor of lighting the sign.
Last Sunday, parts of fifth and University avenues in Hillcrest were closed down for the 26th annual CityFest. Presented by the Hillcrest Business Improvement Association, visitors from all around San Diego enjoyed a feast for their senses at this lively street festival featuring more than 250 vendors.
Executive director of the Hillcrest Business Improvement Association, Benjamin Nicholls, believes this CityFest to be their most successful event compared to the last few years.
“I think this is the most well-attended CityFest and we have had 150,000 attended in the past and we haven’t received an official tally yet, but we possibly exceeded it this year,” Nichols said. “This has been our best ever scene and it’s probably because of our extended hours.”
CityFest boasted a wide array of food vendors with usual fair foods such as hot dogs, barbecued finger foods and of course, powdered-sugar funnel cakes. With more than 30 food vendors, there was something to satisfy every person’s taste. Additionally, the event provided a large beer garden, which was so popular that they were down to their last keg by the end of the day.
The Grand Stage near the Spirit’s Garden also supplied 10 hours of local and regional entertainment.
Because the event was mainly a celebration of the Hillcrest community, most of the proceeds went to city improvement, cleaning the neighborhood and bringing the neighborhood closer together.
Because the Hillcrest community is an avid supporter of gay rights, this allowed for many fun and unique attractions for visitors attending CityFest. According to Nicholls, community groups such as the charity Mama’s Kitchen, raised nearly $16,000 from managing a dunk tank where individuals could dunk a drag queen. The mechanical bull ride was also a primary attraction where money was raised for the Golden State Gay Rodeo Association. UC San Diego even provided AIDS testing as a service for visitors.
However, the main attraction of CityFest was the lantern parade with the re-lighting of the historic Hillcrest sign, which also serves as a symbolic entrance into the community. The lantern parade allowed individuals to make a free lantern at one of the pavilions and participate, which was led by the “Spirit of Hillcrest.” According to Nicholls, the fifth avenue property owners donated $7000 to have the Hillcrest sign re-painted.
Overall, the community involvement and participation led to the success of the event.
“The goal of the event was to really promote neighborhood unity,” Nicholls said. “It wouldn’t have worked without the community involvement.”
Be the first to comment on this article!