KAHE Sparkling Nectar

• When: Wednesday 11th  August 2010 - 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
  Where: Downtown Menlo Park - Santa Cruz Ave
  

In an evening themed "Family Night Out," downtown Menlo Park will be closed to traffic 6pm to 9:30pm, Wednesday, August 11, to make way for in-plaza dining, shopping, live music, kids activities, stage performances, and much more, all showcasing local talent, food, and fun in downtown Menlo Park. Community volunteers, coordinated through the Menlo Park Chamber of Commerce including local business owners, residents, council members, and non-profit organization founders have joined together to create this summer event, designed for residents to showcase local businesses and non-profit organizations.

The parties were created in 2007 with the goal of allowing community members to relax, mingle, enjoy food and beverages, and live music in a family-friendly setting that highlights the uniqueness of Menlo Park's downtown. Past themes have included 2007's Menlo Park Downtown Goes Green, highlighting the city's focus on climate action; 2008's Healthy Communities, which added a "free speech area" and non-profits invited to share information about local causes of interest to residents; and 2009's Menlo Park "Stimulus" Block Party, which introduced the Community Stage where local groups including dance, martial arts, and bands can perform.

This year's parties are themed "Family Night Out", with families invited to come out for a fun-filled evening of al fresco dining, shopping, and entertainment. Other activities will include: a Kid's Area and the Community Stage demonstrating martial arts, adult jazz demos, and more. Musicians will also perform at various points throughout the event, to provide dinner music for guests, and for those wanting more, The Sun Kings Band (Beatles Tribute) will be performing in Fremont Park, as part of the co-sponsored Park & Recreation Department's Summer Concert Series, from 6:30 to 8pm.

The "Free Speech" area will be back, where residents can learn about a variety of topics important to the future of Menlo Park, exchange ideas, and hear about their neighbors' concerns. In the Public Service area, the Fire Protection District will be offering displays, including "Old Tom", an engine that children can climb on and explore, while the City of Menlo Park will offer displays and representatives from its Transportation, Planning, Parks & Recreation, Public Works and other departments.

This event has been an excellent way to reinforce the message of shopping locally. It provides a fun way for our community to come out, enjoy themselves, visit with friends, and remember their local merchants. We are also happy to give our public service providers a chance to interact with their public, remind them about programs like recycling, public transportation, free programs for kids and seniors, and other services that are available for our community