Get ready for fun & food

People watching, shopping and just plain browsing is pure fun whenever the Crossroads Watermelon California Street Fair takes over downtown Manteca streets.

You’ll have almost picture perfect weather to enjoy the street fair as the National Weather Service predicting the highs will hover around 80 degrees each day.

The 28th annual event is not just a chance to inspect and buy wares from 250 vendor spaces offering everything from crafts, unique music tapes, flea market-style toys and novelties to the famous Lockeford sausage and kettlekorn but is a great time to people watch and take in what promises to be a beautiful late spring weekend.

10:30-1:00

1:00-2:00

Upwards of 40,000 people typically attend the two-day event.

The street fair takes place both Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. along Yosemite Avenue from Library Park to Manteca High as well as on several side streets.

It will also include non-profits ranging from political organizations to youth football clubs. There also will be rec -

2:30-5:00 reational vehicles both days and a car show on Sunday.

There is free entertainment both days as well as watermelon games and contests for kids at Library Park.

Many people make the street fair a two-day venture. Some will browse the first day and return the second for serious shopping. Most, however, who make it a multiple day adventure do so because they either wanted to go back and get something that caught their fancy the first day but couldn’t decide on whether to buy, to try a different food item that they simply ran out of stomach room for on their initial trip or to savor the atmosphere which allows you to leisurely stroll and strike up conversations with friends and neighbors.

Parking never seems to be a problem. Even at peak times throughout the weekend you are able to find a parking space within two blocks of the downtown triangle.

Even with the 100 and 200 blocks of Yosemite Avenue blocked off and side streets connecting to Center Street closed, there are still more than 600 parking spaces on the streets and public lots available within three blocks.

Remember not to eat before you venture out to the street fair.

There are countless opportunities you won’t be able to resist from funnel cakes and kettle corn to ice cream, Lockeford sausage and culinary creations you never dreamed of that your nose will absolutely love.

About those people who make the street fair a two-day event: If they come on Saturday, they usually return with another friend on Sunday or else just come back to hit the food booths again or to simply chat with people.