CARLSBAD — It’s that time of year again to gather up those sturdy bags for some shopping galore.
On May 6, a wave of guests will take part in the biannual Carlsbad street fair, also now referred to as The Carlsbad Village Faire, brought to you by the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce.
The Carlsbad Village Faire is one the largest of its kind in the nation while offering distinct vendors, entertainment and foods to attract every personal taste imaginable.
Rolling into its 39th year, this event takes place on the first Sunday of the month in both May and November.
“The Carlsbad Village Faire brings in around 100,000 people each time it’s held,” said José A. López, director of communications at the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce. “As a rule, our spring fairs always tend to draw more people.”
This free daylong event, Lopez said, occupies Grand Avenue from Carlsbad Boulevard to Jefferson Street. And the cross streets within this locale also brim with activity.
The Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce expects to have more than 900 vendors. Avid shoppers will be presented with an array of selections such as clothing, accessories, artwork, antiques, home décor, various products and more. And aromas from the food vendors are sure to entice visitors.
“The Carlsbad Village Faire is the largest single-day fair of its kind in the United States,” Lopez said. “If you’re a shopper looking for unique gifts, if you want to decorate your home or even if you just want something to do on a Sunday, the Carlsbad Village Fair makes for a perfect day out.”
Lopez pointed out that the magnitude of the event holds a different meaning for everyone. For some, it’s all about the shopping. And for others, it may be about the entertainment or food. But all in all, the faire has become a tradition to a host of people both in Carlsbad and out of town.
“Because it offers so much, this is one event where you’ll find people of all ages and of diverse interests; it’s so big, you’re bound to find something that interests you,” Lopez said.
The Rotary Club of Carlsbad will be on hand to host its beer and wine garden. While people stop by for a visit, they will come face-to-face with live bands and big screen televisions.
One of its event sponsors, Johnsonville, is hauling its “Big Taste Grill” for the day. It’s a 90-foot grill and that’s not something people witness often.
Like previous years, the children will have a special area to play. They can either embark on a super-slide, bounce house or rock climbing wall. The kiddos can also try their hand at arts and crafts.
Because the Carlsbad Village Faire attracts thousands of visitors, finding a parking spot can be a challenge.
The chamber is doing its best to temper that challenge by using complimentary shuttles, which make roundtrip runs to the fair every 15 minutes.
Lopez wants people to know that the shuttle pickup locations are at the northwest corner of Sears at Westfield Plaza Camino Real and at the Poinsettia Coaster Station.
Another option is to take the Coaster to the Carlsbad Village Station.
Although Carlsbad is a pet-loving community, Lopez said, they strongly discourage people from bringing their pets as this would not be an ideal atmosphere for them.
The Carlsbad Village Faire will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 6. For more information visit carlsbad.org.
