August 16, 2005 > Milpitas Art & Wine Summer Festival

by Ceri Hitchcock-Hodgson

There is no better way to beat the heat weekend of August 20 and 21 than with a trip to the 18th annual Milpitas Art and Wine Summer Festival.

This year's festival will be filled with arts and crafts, food, refreshments, entertainment and fun for the whole family. Organizers are anticipating one of the largest turnouts ever in the festival's nearly two-decade long history. More than 100 artists will have their handmade crafts on display and for sale. Thirty types of international food will be offered by local restaurants making sure everyone's taste buds are satisfied. Sixteen domestic wines from five local wineries, beer on tap provided by Bottomley Distributors, and a booth featuring Beers of the World will cool you off during the warm weekend.

Festival 2005 will feature free multicultural performances on both Saturday and Sunday. The Main Stage located at the corner of Los Coches and Topaz Streets will have an all-star lineup with acts from all over the country. Maxx Cabello and his band hit the stage on Saturday at 1 p.m. and PT and the Cruisers will rev up the crowd from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. The Hitmen, known for a catalog of hits from the 1960s, 70s and 80s will take the stage from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

The Community Stage is where entertainers from the South Bay School of Music Arts will showcase its talent. Visitors can also stop by the South Bay Kids stage which will host nine acts of varying musical styles.

Community exhibits, local musical talent, and a myriad of attractions for the young, young-at-heart and everyone in between are scheduled for the two day event. The Milpitas Fire Department's Safe House will be open, and children can be finger-printed for free at the Milpitas Police Department's Command Van during the festival.

Milpitas Art & Wine Summer Festival is sponsored by the Milpitas Chamber of Commerce Saturday, Aug. 20 and Sunday, Aug. 21, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For complete information on festivities, visit www.milpitaschamber.com/artwine.

There is no admission fee and plenty of free parking within one block of the festival. A free secured bicycle corral will be offered by the City of Milpitas Bicycle Advisory Commission at the corner of Los Coches and North Milpitas Boulevard. For more information, contact the chamber at (408) 262-2613.

Milpitas Art & Wine Summer Festival
Saturday, August 20 & Sunday, August 21
10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
S. Milpitas Blvd at Los Coches - one block south of Calaveras Blvd. (SR 237)
Free Parking and Bike Corral
(408) 262-2613
www.milpitaschamber.com/artwine