Volunteering at the Festival

Big and little kids like fire trucks

The Foster City Arts and Wine Festival once consisted of a few booths, rides, and displays. Now in its 44th year, the late spring event has become a Bay Area-wide attraction. Attendance this weekend is expected to top 40,000. (Foster City's population is 32,000.)

The rides, food, and game booths are over-priced, but there's still lots of free stuff. Fire, police, government agencies, and community organizations set up informational kid-friendly exhibits.

Live music plays continually, and security and medical personnel are visible and friendly. Admission is free, but the city has had to institute a $10 parking charge due to congestion in surrounding businesses and neighborhoods.

I volunteered to staff the church's booth on Saturday afternoon. Answering questions about the pre-school and the church, I spoke only when spoken to, like a proper Episcopalian.

Most of the inquiries were about the school. How does one move up the waiting list? [whisper] Back in my day if you were a church member, your kids were given a preference. But you didn't hear it from me. What's that? My services are no longer required? Oh, no-o-o!

Strolling back from the Festival across the Shell Blvd. bridge