On a sunny September Sunday the city of Berkeley closes Solano Avenue, a one mile stretch between the Alameda (on top) and San Pablo Avenue (down below) so that thousands of people can march up and down the street sampling slices of pizza from Zachary’s, sandwiches and fries from food trucks, and quench their thirst with lemonade from the many food and beverage stands that punctuate the road between the two arteries. Every year we go. Every year we say “we’ll never go again”, as it’s always the same.
Weaving in and among the strollers and skateboarders turns the stroll into a slither.
And of course, the opening act is a parade. Hundreds of booths featuring camera clubs, churches, hang-gliding classes, Kung Fu exhibitions, Scottish folk dancing, high school jazz bands, political candidates, and this year, two opposing Jewish groups, one supporting Palestinians’ rights, the other, opposed.
And amid the booths, the food, always the food.
For me the fun is the people. Here’s a kid on a pogo stick.
And a Taiko drummer
It’s Berkeley, remember?
It’s an All-American stroll with All-American dogs…
…and family portraits of two happy sons
Music is the order of business, whether Scottish Folk,
Big Band,
or Mexican, with real Dancing in the Street
Or Rock n’ Roll, and anyone can join in.