Saturday brought sunny skies and warmer than usual weather, which was great news for outer Balboa’s first street festival called “Playland on Balboa”.

The event was organized by the Richmond District Neighborhood Center, which is located on 30th Avenue just off Balboa. The purpose of the festival was “to feature the vibrant music and arts community in the Richmond District as well as bustling merchant corridor of local business and activity” on Balboa between 34th and 37th Avenues.

Turnout was strong for the festival’s first year, likely exceeding the 1,000 attendees that organizers had anticipated.

The festival included a lineup of local bands playing inside several venues, special documentary screenings at the Balboa Theater, activities for kids, enticing offers from merchants like an It’s-It homage at the Butter Love Bakeshop, and tables for vendors and community groups up and down the street.

The sidewalks were crowded and merchants had lines out the door, especially in spots where ice cream or cold drinks were served as the temperatures reached the high 70’s. Along 36th Avenue, attendees snapped selfies with cutouts of Democratic presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders, while a youth quartet played on the corner.

All in all, a great first year for the festival. We hope that next year, they’re able to close off the streets and bring some of the music acts outside to give the street an even more celebratory feel.

Sarah B.