Aromas Day......by Joyce Oroz

Five days from today our little village will become a circus of activity, a beehive of energy bursting with fun and adventure. OK, it's just a street fair with live music all day, an old-time parade, a petting zoo, Art in the Park, food and fun. But the garage sales, car show and pancake breakfast set it apart from routine street fairs.

This year I will be signing my books at the "Author's Table" in the park in the morning and at the Dragonfly Gallery, 380 Blohm, in the afternoon. This is your chance to get started on the Josephine Stuart Mystery Series before my latest book, Roller Rubout, comes out this fall. Authors, Giselle Rocha and Debra Smith will be selling their wonderful "fantasy" books at the same table. Please drop by and say hi. We love to talk "books." And don't forget to visit the Dragonfly Gallery where Grace Lauren will be making custom jewelry--you pick out the beads, she puts it together for you! Earrings just six dollars a pair.

Aromas Day is a family-friendly event.
Sunday, August 24^th is Aromas Day, hosted by the Eagles. So many celebrations in the world, so little time—so I suggest you go to the best one, the one with everything from live music to classic cars to Art in the Park to rock climbing and so much more. Between 7:00 and 11:00 join us for a pancake breakfast served country style in the historic Aromas Community Grange.  While you’re there, be sure to check out all the wonderful items in the silent auction that benefits the Terese White Memorial Scholarship Fund. The scholarships are awarded to outstanding Aromas students going on to college.    

 The annual Aromas Day Parade starts at 2:00pm.

 The street fair opens at 9:00am and runs full-speed to 4:00pm with more attractions than trees in the park. Arts and crafts vendors line the streets along with food and educational booths. There will be newly designed collector’s item T-shirts decorated with an original Aromas scene. If you love to look at classic cars and tractors, there will be some real eye-candy for you to drool over and ride on.     

      Be sure you stroll through the lovely, “Art in the Park” featuring artwork by the award winning Aromas Hills Artisans. This is your chance to purchase original paintings and incredible crafts directly from the artists. There will be a wide variety of media, such as stained glass, hand-crafted wooden boxes, weaving, clay sculpture, beaded and metal jewelry, photography, prints and etchings, plus free art activities for the kids.

      Children and the ‘young at heart’ will enjoy the petting zoo featuring farm animals such as chickens, ducks, little goats and bunnies.  And, of course, there will be pony rides face-painting and a magician. Older children will want to tackle the climbing wall.

      Enjoy a wide range of music by talented local groups all day long.     

      Don’t forget the non-profit food booths, like the Boy Scouts, and 4-H. 4-H Youth will have a booth on the street selling plants, planters, popcorn and homemade jam.  They will be handing out information about the 4-H Youth Development Program.

       At 2:00 it’s the highlight of the day, the big, small-town parade. If you wish to be in the parade, entry forms are available at Marshall’s Grocery store and the Old Fire House Market in downtown Aromas. For more information, call 726-1348. 

       The Aromas Eagles are the premier service club in Aromas and proudly sponsor Aromas Day.  The Eagles, Aromas Hills Artisans (AHA), the Aromas Community Grange, Granite Rock and the Aromas 4-H will all contribute to provide the free horse-drawn wagon rides.

       Other contributors to Aromas Day are; the Arts Council for Monterey County, the Monterey County Board of Supervisors, the Community Foundation for Monterey County-Communities Advancing the Arts-Funded by the James Irvine Foundation with additional funding from the David and Lucile Packard Foundation.

     Enjoy an easy drive on Highway 129 from Hwy 1 or 101 to Rogge Lane. Follow signs to the off-site donation parking on Markus and catch a free ride into town on a horse-drawn wagon.        

 Aromas Day is a free, family-friendly, get-together you don’t want to miss.  See you there! For more information, go to www.AromasDay.com. Or call Cara at 831-588-9407

There will be LIVE entertainment scheduled all day and FREE horse drawn wagon rides to get around town. Don’t forget parking by donation is located off of Aromas Road. For more information go to www.AromasDay.com .