August 3 and 4 will mark Fremont Festival of the Arts’ 40th anniversary, with over $11 million of proof that it’s a pillar of the community. Originally the festival had been held at the Fremont Hub in 1983, but today it will start at Paseo Padre Parkway with sections of streets closed off for the events.
The festival is essentially a non-profit organization’s love letter to Fremont, funding locals in hard situations and ensuring after-school programs stay afloat—as well as scholarships, medical research and Fremont Chamber of Commerce.
“In a nutshell our job is to help businesses in Fremont be successful,” says Cindy Bonior, chief executive officer of the Chamber.
The festival is put on by the nonprofit Fremont Chamber of Commerce, which has hosted other events like last year’s Burger and Brew fest and their Fremont Street Eats. The Chamber is run by three staff members: Bonior as CEO; Jennifer Clark, director of creative content; and Napoleon Batalao, director of social media. Thankfully when it comes to the event, there are as many as 800 local volunteers on the ground to put the show on.
“We have volunteers who are dedicated—who help, pour, set up, tear down, and the whole thing,” says Bonior. “It’s very much a grassroots community event.”
This year the festival features a local lounge area offering local beer from Jack’s Brewing Company and local wine from Mission Peak winery. Other attractions include musicians playing acoustic music and a range of art, from mixed media to jewelry, sold at booths by local artists.
The festival will have three different “Free Speech Zones” around the festival for people who want to set up their own booth (no tents or umbrellas, please). These shared spaces are open to political campaigns, band flier distributions and bible talks, as long as the space is shared civilly between all parties.
Bonoir hopes to garner as much interest with the Fremont Chamber of Commerce’s Fire Department vs. Police Department cook-off, which was scheduled to take place during Street Eats until the fires began. Once the firefighters return and are ready, the cook-off is a go! The firefighters will be making the burger that won last year’s at the event for people to purchase.
At the festival on Walnut Avenue and Paseo Padre Parkway there will be an information booth to answer any questions folks may have about the festival or vendors for next year.
Fremont Festival of the Arts
Saturday, Aug 3 – Sunday, Aug 4
10am – 6pm
Downtown Fremont
Along Paseo Padre
