Judy Seckler
BURBANK VILLAGE -- Crowds braved the heat on the weekend for a
leisurely stroll through the fourth annual Burbank Summer Street Fair.
About 10,000 people each day visited the Village, enjoying food,
music, shopping and plentiful sunshine at the festival, organizers said.
The festival stretched along San Fernando Road between Magnolia Boulevard
and Olive Avenue.
North Hollywood resident Pat Schneider said she preferred the Burbank
festival's "homey" atmosphere to another festival held in her
neighborhood that was scheduled the same weekend.
Clearly there was something for everyone. Visitors could choose from
among a variety of ethnic foods or sample Gordon Biersch beer, listen to
live bands or shop for everything from clothing and hanging pressed
flower ornaments to silver jewelry, custom designed children's lunch
pails and handmade paper. There were also carnival games and slides.
Brothers-in-law, Ken Bushman of North Hills and Larry Nevins of
Burbank, rested comfortably in the shade, just as they have many times in
past festivals, they said.
"We like the beer and the music. Our wives like the shopping. They
tell us 'Give me the check book I'll see you later,' " Nevins said.
Bushman, who is planning a kitchen remodel, said he took the
opportunity to gather some tips from one of the merchants operating out
of a booth on the street.
For Burbank resident Anne Wang the festival was a "food thing."
"We get lunch and then buy more food to take home for dinner," she
said.
Organized by the Downtown Burbank Stakeholders Assn., the festival was
a full year in the making, said Executive Director Cynthia Wagner.
Wagner said the goal of the festival is to bring the community
together and to give a boost to local businesses.
