The churros will be plentiful and the salsa band sizzling Sunday at the North Fair Oaks Community Festival, a popular fundraising event for local youth programs that continues to grow in its eighth year.
More than 30,000 people are expected to turn out for the free street fair in the unincorporated neighborhood near Redwood City, which will feature live mariachi music, multicultural dance groups and children's activities.
Proceeds from raffle ticket sales and corporate sponsorships will benefit San Mateo County Sheriff's Office youth programs, including the DARE anti-drug program, the STAR camp for underprivileged youths and the Sheriff's Activity League.
Despite the economic recession, donations to this year's festival have already surpassed last year's fundraising total of $80,000.
"We're just so gratified," said Catherine Tompkison-Graham, the festival director. "We know that times are tough, but that's the perfect argument for why we need the support more than ever. School districts are cutting back, cities are cutting back on their parks and recreation, and our youth programs serve some of the most underserved."
The fun kicks off tonight with the festival's first-ever "preview party," a $100-per-head private fundraising event. On Friday, organizers will crown this year's Queen of the Festival, picked out of five young women who have been named finalists.
The finalists are all graduating seniors from local high schools
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who have been competing for the crown and a $5,000 college scholarship by selling as many raffle tickets for the festival as they can. Second- and third-place sellers will win $2,500 scholarships and the final two will receive $1,000 scholarships.
The queen will join Sheriff Greg Munks in the annual festival parade at 11 a.m. Sunday, featuring dancers, classic cars and floats.
Munks, the parade's grand marshal, said the event helps unite the community while also helping support youth programs "that we think are a healthy alternative to gangs and other non-productive activities."
As live music plays and cultural dancers perform on two stages, parents can treat their kids to a San Jose Earthquakes soccer clinic, climbing wall, pony rides, petting zoo and an obstacle course. Eaters of all ages can enjoy corn, shaved ice, tacos, kabobs and pupusas.
"You name it, we're doing it," Tompkison-Graham said. "It's bigger than ever."
More than 30,000 people are expected to turn out for the free street fair in the unincorporated neighborhood near Redwood City, which will feature live mariachi music, multicultural dance groups and children's activities.
Proceeds from raffle ticket sales and corporate sponsorships will benefit San Mateo County Sheriff's Office youth programs, including the DARE anti-drug program, the STAR camp for underprivileged youths and the Sheriff's Activity League.
Despite the economic recession, donations to this year's festival have already surpassed last year's fundraising total of $80,000.
"We're just so gratified," said Catherine Tompkison-Graham, the festival director. "We know that times are tough, but that's the perfect argument for why we need the support more than ever. School districts are cutting back, cities are cutting back on their parks and recreation, and our youth programs serve some of the most underserved."
The fun kicks off tonight with the festival's first-ever "preview party," a $100-per-head private fundraising event. On Friday, organizers will crown this year's Queen of the Festival, picked out of five young women who have been named finalists.
The finalists are all graduating seniors from local high schools
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who have been competing for the crown and a $5,000 college scholarship by selling as many raffle tickets for the festival as they can. Second- and third-place sellers will win $2,500 scholarships and the final two will receive $1,000 scholarships.
The queen will join Sheriff Greg Munks in the annual festival parade at 11 a.m. Sunday, featuring dancers, classic cars and floats.
Munks, the parade's grand marshal, said the event helps unite the community while also helping support youth programs "that we think are a healthy alternative to gangs and other non-productive activities."
As live music plays and cultural dancers perform on two stages, parents can treat their kids to a San Jose Earthquakes soccer clinic, climbing wall, pony rides, petting zoo and an obstacle course. Eaters of all ages can enjoy corn, shaved ice, tacos, kabobs and pupusas.
"You name it, we're doing it," Tompkison-Graham said. "It's bigger than ever."
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