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Concert in the Park and Upcoming Events Update. (Laura Armanino, Recreation Program Manager)
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RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
It is recommended that the Parks and Recreation Commission be updated on the 2025 Concert in the Park event at Orange Memorial Park and other upcoming events
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BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
Planning continues for the 2025 Concert in the Park event held at Orange Memorial Park. The event is to take place on Saturday, September 20, 2025 from 11:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Due to construction of the new aquatic facility, this event will take place again for the second year in the picnic meadow on Memorial Drive. The map of the area has been updated to allow for more space for concert goers to spread out and enjoy the festivities. The vendor area and food trucks have been relocated to allow for more open space in the meadow lawn area. Their new locations are included in the activity descriptions that follow as well as the update map in Attachment 1.
Musical Performances
Staff are excited to announce Ozomatli’s upcoming performance at Concert in the Park. Since 1995, the multi-genre cultural powerhouse has blended Latin, hip-hop, funk, reggae, and global influences into an unmistakable sound that captures the city’s energy and diversity. In June, they kick off the 30 Revolutions Tour, a tribute to three decades of music, culture, and connection.
Opening for Ozomatli is Livewire. Livewire is a dance/rock cover band based in the San Francisco Bay Area, performing for public, private, and corporate events. Showcasing an eclectic mix of the best songs from the 70s and 80s through current rock and dance hits, the band accurately covers a wide range of music.
The Department is proud to announce the El Camino High School Jazz Band and the Department’s own Hula Classes to perform at this year’s concert.
Family Fun Zone and Other Activities
The Family Fun Zone and Children’s Activity area will be located on the Sports Field. Activities will be similar to last year with inflatables, a skating rink, and carnival games. New this year, the sport co-sponsored groups and other sport/exercise child activity vendor booths will be located on the field. They will be providing activities within their larger booth footprint for the community to participate in. They include SSF Youth Baseball Managers Association, SSF Aquatic Club, SSF United Youth Soccer league, Super Soccer Stars, Bay Area Calisthenics, and Fit4Mom. These vendors will be providing their own tents for their area.
Food and Drink Concessions
The Department plans to host a variety of diverse food truck options. The Friends of South San Francisco Parks and Recreation will serve beer and wine, as they have done historically, raising monies for Parks and Recreation programs and scholarships. The food trucks include Brazuca Grill, Dominic’s, Red Sauce Meatballs, Silvas, Phil’s Hot Dogs, Mozzeria, Kona Ice, and Mister Softee. Their attendance is still dependent on finalizing permits and contracts. Food trucks will be in a new location along the path by the canal.
Vendor Booths
Forty-eight tents will be hosting a variety of vendors in the two parking lots along the meadow. There are currently seven City Departments, five co-sponsored groups, 15 non-profits, and 28 local arts and crafts vendors that will be spread through the two vendor areas and the sports field.
Staff have increased the footprint of the senior rest stop areas, a recommendation from the Age-Friendly Action Plan, moving them to a better viewing area for the concert, as well as adding one rest stop to the new vendor area.
Upcoming events
October18 | Halloween Extravaganza
The Halloween Extravaganza will take place on Saturday, October 18 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in Orange Memorial Park. Back again will be trunk-or-treat, story walk, games, pool pumpkin patch, and the regular pumpkin patch. Commissioners are invited to collaborate to host a vehicle at our trunk-or-treat event. More details will be coming soon.
Pumpkin patch registration will open on Friday, October 3. In prior years, the pool pumpkin patch and regular pumpkin patch had been offered for free, requiring community members to pre-register for a time slot to pick up their pumpkin. Given increasing overall event costs, staff is shifting to a fee-based model for the pumpkin patches this year. Staff are in the process of developing the logistics and pricing for the pumpkins and are committed to keeping fees as low as possible. In addition, fee waivers can be granted to eligible families who apply for the Recreation Scholarship Program.
Although purchasing a pumpkin would come at a cost, community members are invited to enjoy the rest of the Halloween Extravaganza for free, including receiving free candy and treats from the trunk-or-treat area. These are new aspects added to the event when it was moved to Orange Memorial Park post-COVID-19. Commissioners may remember a time when the Halloween Extravaganza was hosted at the Municipal Services Building with an admission fee of $6 and limited to building capacity. The move to Orange Memorial Park has allowed the Department to serve even more community members with Halloween festivities at no cost to attendees.
November 1 | Holiday Boutique
The 44th Annual Holiday Boutique and Maker’s Fair will take place on Saturday, November 1 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Library | Parks and Recreation Center. The vendor application will be coming out the week of August 18 for community members to apply for a table. Last year the event had over 70 vendors attend. Admission is free.
November 22 | Thanksgiving Fun Run
The 52nd annual Thanksgiving 5K Fun Run will take place on Saturday, November 22 at the Oyster Point Marina and Bay Trail. The run will begin at 9:00 a.m. Registration begins on Monday, September 1. Registration is $10 for adults 18 years of age and up. $6 for ages 13 -17 years old. The event is free for children 12 and under. Participants will be awarded prizes for top finishers in each age group as well as be entered into a raffle for prizes after the race concludes.
December 6 | Santa Comes to Town
Santa Comes to Town will take place on Saturday, December 6 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at City Hall located at 400 Grand Avenue. Santa will be making his entrance aboard one of South San Francisco's fire engines. Families will be able to take a photo with Santa. This event is free to the public.
December 13 | IPP Wreath Making
The annual Holiday Wreath Workshop will take place on Saturday, December 13 at the Joseph A. Fernekes Recreation Building at 781 Tennis Drive. This workshop is a fundraiser for Improving Public Places.
Two Sessions:
• Morning Session (Family-Friendly): 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. - Ideal for all ages.
• Afternoon Session (Adults Only): 1:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. - Attendees can enjoy beer and wine.
Wreath kits will once again be made available this year for those DIY crafters who already know how to make a wreath and prefer to construct their masterpiece at home.
December 20 and 21 | Nutcracker
The South San Francisco Parks and Recreation's Civic Ballet will be performing a timeless classic, The Nutcracker. This year will feature three performances on Saturday, December 20 at 1:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. and Sunday, December 21 at 1:00 p.m. at the South San Francisco High School Theater.
CONCLUSION
Staff is looking forward to another successful Concert in the Park and upcoming events. Staff welcomes discussion from the Commission.