Well, despite the threat of rain Nipomo turned out for its 23rd October Festival on a brisk October day. The festival is sponsored by the Nipomo Chamber of Commerce. According to the Santa Maria Times, the overall attendance may have been affected by the cool weather; but, the number of festival booth participants was at its highest level ever:

Cathy Cachu, festival co-chair, from the Nipomo Chamber of Commerce, said the overcast weather made for fewer people in attendance than past years, but countered that the 112 booths at the event were the most of any year.

“It’s a little down because of the weather. Considering the weather, we’re very happy with the attendance,” she said.

Crowds at the October Festival didn’t seem to mind the mild chill as they browsed the booths with vendors selling jewelry, crafts and food.

There was a little something for everyone, whether a sports nut or kettle corn fan . . .

A stage was set up to feature local bands and singers, the Nipomo High School choir and jazz band, and Mexican folk dancing from the Dana Adobe Amigos. Antique cars shone with bright, new paint jobs in the car show. It was the second year the car show was held as part of the festival, Cachu said.

Other highlights included pumpkin contests, a bounce house, a cake walk and a drawing to win a Suzuki Ozark Quadrunner.

Before October Festival activities began, The Nipomo Youth Coalition sponsored a four-mile run, a two-mile walk and a half-mile children’s fun-run at the park to raise money for local youth community programs.

I took a few photos as well, which follow. Double click on the thumbnail to see the photo in full size. If you have been to the festival in years past you will see from the photos that the Chamber implimented a new layout for the booths. They were organized in rows back to back, in a series of several rows. This allowed people the opportunity to vist all the booths in one centralized location rather than having the booths strung out all over the park as in previous years:

There were several pumpkins entered into the annual pumpking carving contest.

The Nipomo High School concert choir performed at the festival, singing a variety of musical selections.

The Nipomo High School Marching Band also performed a variey of numbers, including the Titan Fight Song!

Always a BIG hit at October Festival is the annual Nipomo Rotary Club barbecue. The Rotarians volunteer their time and talents to cook up the best Tri-Tip sandwich anywhere on California’s Central Coast–I know I’ve had several!

Below are some of the booths and the new layout at this year’s October Festival:

Since this is an election year, there were also several political booths for candidates seeking office–a few follow:

Jim Harrison, NCSD Candidate October Festival Booth 2006. Campaign Manager Bonnie Eisner readying the ribbons.
Jim Harrison’s youngest supporter.

Jim’s lovely Bride Cheryl ties another knot for candidate Jim.

NCSD Incumbent and Candidate Larry Vierheilig at the Vierheilig and Trotter October Festival Booth

NCSD incumbents and candidates Cliff Trotter and Larry Vierheilig, October Festival 2006