Virtual Hometown Fair gives back to Community

SHOP, WINE, DINE: Local residents browse through the tents at last year’s Hometown Fair. Local Shops and charitable organizations are given the opportunity to set up shop and give people a chance to meet small business owners and get a taste of what the larger businesses have to offer. Photo Courtesy of mbfair.org

By Lexie Blakeman

News Editor

In order to prioritize the safety and health of the community, the City of Manhattan Beach moved the Hometown Fair, which took place Oct. 3-4, to a virtual setting this year. This allowed the community to still be able to gather together for performances and fundraising efforts according to mbfair.org.

The COVID-19 pandemic has presented many challenges for non-profit organizations to fundraise at the fair. Since it is a major fundraising event for local shops, the Manhattan Beach Hometown Fair Association’s Board of Directors committed at least $10,000 in grants and scholarships. These grants were distributed to 20 different organizations throughout the community, including many Costa sports teams, band, and clubs, according to mbfair.org.

“Our event typically welcomes over 80,000 guests over the weekend, and we’re categorized under stage four of Governor Newsom’s reopening plan,” President of the Manhattan Beach Hometown Fair Joe Marcy said. “As stated by Governor Newsom, treatment or a vaccine would be necessary in order for us to be eligible to reopen.”

At the fair, there was a silent auction where local businesses offered up their best products for the bidding. The auction ended on Oct. 4 when the fair would usually end. The community raised a total of $10,044 through the silent auction. The highest bid of the auction was for a yacht experience and sold for $1,500, according to mbfair.org.

“The fair is just a weekend full of endless fun,” head of south stage Diane Charvat said. “It is something that the whole community talks about and looks forward to every year.”

Local businesses in downtown Manhattan Beach served special menu items usually found at the fair. The Strand House served funnel cake, Brewco served potbellies, Zinc Craft Kitchen at Shade Hotel served tri-tip sandwiches and Rock n’ Fish served pulled pork sandwiches to give residents a chance to enjoy the treats usually offered during the fair.

“We’re showcasing community talent and helping the community so that organizations and the schools, can get some money,” secretary of the Hometown Fair board Karen Tokashiki said.

Organizers also conducted The Battle of the Bands competition through video submissions, a long-standing tradition of the Hometown Fair. The 2020 Finalist bands that competed in the competition were The Illusions, Scream Revolution, Surge, Youthanize and the Meerkats. There

was voting available once per day on the fair’s website. The Illusions came in first place, winning next year’s headlining spot for the main stage along with a cash prize of $500. Scream Revolution came in second place, winning the headlining spot for the south stage of next year’s fair.

“The Hometown Fair is completely about giving back to the community, and because of that we’ve got a real community homegrown hometown feel,” Yollin said. “That feeling is what I think makes us really stand out from other fairs.”