The Upcoming Street Fair And Chili Cookoff Celebrates The Very Essence Of Southern California, So Save The Date
By Natasha Kayes|Published May 11, 2023
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Natasha Kayes
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I was born and raised in sunny Southern California and will never tire of the West Coast, although I spent several years living in Southeast Asia, about as far from California as you can get. Wherever I am in the world, I love straying from the beaten path, experiencing local life, and discovering hidden gems - camera in hand. The beach is my happy place and when I am not there (or writing), you will usually find me baking, watching movies, and cuddling my pugs. I have traveled around the country and around the world, and it never, ever gets old. Being able to combine my passion for travel and my love of writing is nothing short of a dream.
Summer is the time to get outside and have some fun, whether that means hitting the beach, outdoor activities, picnics and barbecues, awesome road trips, camping, or community events, fairs, and festivals. For me, summer in Southern California means all of those things. This street fair in San Diego, California combines food, fun, sun, and the sea into one epic SoCal event not to be missed.
From one end to the other, the 43rd annual Ocean Beach Street Fair and Chili Cook-off is guaranteed to be a fun and tasty festival for all. The event will take place on Saturday, June 24, 2023 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Everything about this annual event just screams Southern California, starting with its location right on the beach. It takes place in the 4800 to 5000 blocks of Newport Avenue in San Diego’s Ocean Beach community.
As always, entry is free, and over 70,000 visitors are expected to show up for this year’s fun in the sun.
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The Chili Cook-off is a popular competition with amateur and restaurant divisions. Cooks show of their chili-making skills and compete for titles like Hottest Chili, Judges’ Award, and the Grand Prize - People’s Choice Award.
If you make great chili, why not join in and enter the contest? You have nothing to lose, but cash prizes and bragging rights to gain! If you prefer to eat and judge, make your way to the tasting booths starting at 11 a.m., sample the entrants, and then cast your vote!
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What fun would a fair be without an eating contest? Whether you participate, root for a contestant, or just watch the madness, the Hodad’s Burger Eating and Dirty Birds Wing Eating contests will be a blast.
For attendees who are 21 and over, there will be fun and creative cocktails for purchase. They can also enjoy ice-cold brews with a view in the Beachside Beer Garden which is open all day.
While chili is a big part of this festival, there will be lots of other amazing food to enjoy, from booths to food trucks. Six square blocks will be filled with vendors, from food to arts and crafts to merchandise, and more.
Three stages will be providing live musical performances nonstop throughout the day. Musicians from all over, including right here in SoCal, will be performing music from practically every genre - rock, acoustic, Americana, blues, alternative, and more.
At each annual event, community murals are created and attendees of any age are invited to share in the project. For $20, you will get paint, brushes, and the opportunity to reserve and paint one square.
Don’t worry if you don’t feel particularly skilled, because you also have access to as much support as you would like to complete your piece of the painting. Once the fair is over, these murals are sealed and publicly installed in the community for all to see.
