COD Street Fair Finds A New Home!

"We are growing into our new location!" says COD vendor Jeff Thornberry, owner of the Gadgets and Neat Stuff, booth 2-058A. The street fair, originally nestled between the library and McCallum Theatre on the south side of campus, has moved to its current location at the corner of Monterey Avenue and Magnesia Falls. The move was necessitated by campus renovation initiated with the passage of the Measure B Bond Program.

After several years of transitioning between the two sites, the street fair is now settling in to its permanent home. Originating nearly 30 years ago, the outdoor marketplace has evolved into a cherished part of the community. Early organizers had no idea how popular the event would eventually become. As such, the campus wasn’t designed to accommodate the event.

"The new site, albeit designed to accommodate the needs of students first, has been planned in such a way as to fit the requirements of the street fair too," says Alumni Association CEO Gene Marchu. "Such forward thinking will benefit everyone from COD students to street fair patrons."

New Convenient Restrooms

Newly completed restrooms offer added convenience and comfort for street fair patrons. The restrooms adjacent to the college's new central plant consist of 20 women's stalls and 13 men's urinals plus nine additional stalls. Funds for the restrooms construction was provided by the Alumni Association and were derived through savings resulting from the elimination of obsolete temporary portable restrooms.

Expanded Food Menu

The enticing smells of food being prepared outdoors, tantalizes the senses! "Our expanded food menu now offers freshly prepared favorites from opening till close," says Tim with E&E Pels, booth 3-144. Breakfast options include pancakes and sausage, crepes, Belgian waffles, breakfast burritos, etc. Lunch offerings continue to expand and favor the experience of the outdoor barbecue!

You'll find everything from burgers to Italian food, Mexican food to Polish sausage. Newly introduced this season, no less than six of our concessionaires have brought grills to their operations!

Made In The Shade

Trees in the Monterey Avenue site are beginning to mature, giving the street fair an enjoyable atmosphere, not unlike that so cherished by patrons who attended the street fair's original location. We're greening up and enhancing the look and feel of the weekend events!

We're Growing!

Bond Measure "B" construction continues at an ever-escalating pace. It's exciting to see new buildings and resources coming online.

Parking Alert

The bulk of our customer parking is available from the college entrance on San Pablo Ave., but there are other alternatives.

"We have a fleet of shuttles to whisk people from our parking lots to the center of the event," says Jason Smith, Street Fair Manager. "As construction progresses, traffic and parking can become disrupted. We are making every effort to make our patrons comfortable."

Some traditional entrances to the event can become overwhelmed at peak times. However, there exists plenty of access and parking on the east side of campus. Patrons who enter the college from San Pablo Avenue (accessed via Fred Waring) will find getting to the street fair easy. Grab a shuttle in the parking lot and enjoy the free ride to the street fair’s information booth.

Shop Early And Save!

The best time to see the street fair is between 7 and 9 AM. "It's easier to park, it's easier to be waited on and you can see the entire event in less time," Says Towel Man Paul Bernstein, purveyor of themed towels & oven mitts, booth 4-200.

Approximately 100 street fair vendors have signed on to the Early Morning Discount Program, whereby individual vendors will be offering specials between the hours of 7AM and 9AM. Vendors will announce their participation with a sign on the front of their booths proclaiming "Shop Early & Save!"

More and more patrons are taking advantage of this great opportunity. "You can engage in this outdoor shopping experience and be finished in time to meet others for brunch," stated patron Charles Leeds. “What a great way to start a weekend morning!"