SAN CLEMENTE : 50,000 Expected at All-Day Street Fest

More than 50,000 people are expected to jam city streets Sunday for the annual San Clemente Street Festival.

The all-day celebration begins at 8 a.m. with 5K road races for both world-class competitors and more casual runners.

About 3,000 people are signed up for the Fiesta 5,000 race at 8 o’clock and some 110 runners will compete in the Arvida/Talega World-Class Invitational at 9:30. Registration for the Fiesta 5,000 opens at 6 a.m. at the Bank of San Clemente, 300 S. El Camino Real.

A short distance from the race course, the city will close off the 100 and 200 blocks of Avenida Del Mar for the second part of the festival, which is sponsored by The Times Orange County and run by the San Clemente Chamber of Commerce.

Starting at 9:30 a.m., the free event will feature food booths, beer and wine gardens, exhibits, contests and nonstop entertainment featuring the singing Coasters at 3 and 5 p.m.

In addition to the well-known ‘50s group, several local musical acts will be performing, including guitarists/vocalists Melvin Ratnam and John Kalb, Mariachi San Juan, the Reef Riders, the Chaparrals, and Jason Richards and his Silverado Band.

One of the highlights of the event will be a salsa-tasting competition that will pit the favorite recipes of local restaurants and individuals. Taste kits that include chips and two sample cups will be sold for $1.

The exhibits will feature a collection of antique automobiles and will include an Indy 500 race car.

Three theme entertainment and contest areas will include an Old West section with a roping contest and Western music. Other theme areas will be the Mexican section and an Om-Pah-Pah Garden.

Parking is available at San Clemente High School, 700 Avenida Pico, where shuttles will run continuously to fiesta events. The school is located one block east of the Avenida Pico exit off Interstate 5.