Oceanside gears up for Fall Festival on Sept.28

As the crisp air of autumn approaches, Oceanside is buzzing with excitement, awaiting the second annual Fall Festival, set to take place on Sept. 28.

After a successful debut last year, the festival is quickly becoming a community favorite, with organizers promising an even bigger and better event next week.

The festival will run from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Parking Field 6, between Weidner and Perkins avenues, offering a full day of entertainment, food and fun for all ages.

“We started organizing six months ahead of time,” Brian Driscoll, one of this year’s organizers, said. “We have three bands, a lot of vendors, great food trucks, and Seven Brothers coming out, and they’re bringing pickle sandwiches.”

Seven Brothers Gourmet restaurant in Oceanside gained viral attention this summer over their pickle sandwich.

This year’s festival promises a lineup of entertainment and activities for all ages. The event will kick off with “The Star-Spangled Banner,” performed by an Oceanside High School student, followed by live musical acts. Two groups will perform throughout the day, and DJ Pace will keep the energy upbeat with music throughout the festival.

Despite rainy weather during last year’s inaugural event, the festival still managed to draw a significant crowd and was met with overwhelmingly positive feedback.

“We were all very pleased with how everything went,” Joe Cibellis, one of the event’s key organizers, said of last year’s event. “The rain stopped right before the festival began, and everyone who attended had a great time.”

The success of last year’s event has set a solid foundation for the 2024 edition.

“We had a lot of community support, and I think everyone’s excited to have it again,” Cibellis added.

Learning from the previous year, members of the festival’s planning committee have streamlined their efforts, aiming for an even more seamless experience.

The Fall Festival is the brainchild of Oceanside Unified, a group formed last year to bring together various local Oceanside organizations. In just one year, the group has made a significant impact on the community, organizing events like the festival and a Christmas tree-lighting ceremony, as well as fundraisers that have strengthened community ties.

“The beauty of Oceanside Unified is that everyone brings something to the table,” Cibellis said. “All the organizations in town work together, which makes it a true community event.”

With this collaborative effort, Oceanside Unified has not only put together a successful festival but has also grown in recognition and influence, becoming a staple in the community.

“We have a dedicated committee reaching out to local vendors to showcase what Oceanside has to offer,” Jeanine Badalamenti, secretary of the Oceanside Kiwanis Club, said of the festival. “It’s a lot of effort, but it’s all worth it to bring the community together.”

Vendors and sponsors are crucial to the success of the festival, providing food, entertainment and activities that draw attendees.

“People don’t always think about the importance of vendors, but they’re vital,” Badalamenti added. “From food trucks to activities for kids, every piece helps make the event special.”

Keeping families in mind, the festival’s organizers will make available a variety of activities, including rock climbing, axe throwing, games, and more. Local organizations like the VFW and the Oceanside Library are also pitching in, offering events for kids.

“The residents that are on Weidner and Perkins were so excited about the event that they all signed on for a block party,” Cibellis said. “Every resident that the festival affected closely can’t wait for it to happen again.”

Fall Festival organizers said the biggest challenge this year has been promoting the event and making certain the residents are aware of it.

“Even though we’re active on social media and put signs around town, it’s still a challenge to make sure everyone knows about the festival,” Cibellis explained. “Fundraising has actually been the easier part — people are excited to support something like this.”

The planning committee has discussed the possibility of expanding the Fall Festival into a two-day event in the future, though logistical challenges, especially for vendors, would need to be addressed.

But the community’s enthusiastic response and support from local businesses and residents ensure that this year’s event will be a memorable one.

“The residents have been so supportive,” Cibellis said. “The streets surrounding the festival were packed last year, and the residents near the festival site are just as excited for it to happen again. Everyone’s ready to come out and have a good time.”