Warm weather that included a canopy of high thin clouds over Ceres most of this past weekend helped to draw a sizable crowd for the 30th run of the Ceres Street Faire in downtown Ceres. The brisk attendance in the newly remodeled Fourth Street left organizers describing it as one of the best events ever in its 30-year history.
"This year's Street Faire was a tremendous success," said Lisa Mantarro Moore, chairwoman of the Street Faire Committee. "The Street Faire committee was very proud of our efforts to ensure that our 30th anniversary of our festival was memorable. In our continuing effort for celebrating Ceres in 2018, we really wanted to showcase what our community had to offer."
Food vendors reported record sales with many running out of supplies and scrambling to buy more for Sunday. There was a long line for food served up by the Ceres Firefighters Association. The always-popular Ceres Lions Club tri-tip sandwiches sold out their product at one point.
The Faire drew over 122 food, commercial and arts and crafts vendors.
Saturday's car show attracted 144 car entries, which spilled over into the Ceres Community Center parking lot. Last year an estimated 120 cars were entered.
A stellar parade lined up at 10 a.m. to kick things off for the weekend. Announcer for the parade was Channce Condit. Parade grand marshals were Paul Caruso, Allen Graham and Don Goudeau, all who helped organize the first Street Faire.
"The weather turned out to be amazingly good and Saturday's attendance at the Street Faire was outstanding," reported Tom Westbrook, the city's Community Development director. "The Street Faire followed a successful parade which had many spectators lining Moffett Road and Whitmore Avenue."
Kim Chapman, who was in charge of the Faire vendors, felt this year's event was a "culmination of a lot of beautiful changes in downtown and new thought for re-mapping and re-vamping the look of the faire.
"Through great vision, wonderful community partnering, a committee that never said ‘it's too much' or ‘we can't,' opportunity to create some different looks and a whole new vibe was achieved," said Chapman. "We enjoyed such positive feedback about the new rustic flair created with Diamond Bar's huge offering of large spool tables, rustic fencing and gates for securing our food areas."
She said a complimentary coffee, juice and donuts at the commercial vendor check-in area provided by the Rusty Nail and 3 Amigos was well received. Chapman said Faire goers were treated to a new variety of vendors that offered diverse choices in their shopping experience.
"This was my favorite year ever as it was the most collaborative effort of a group of people who just love this community and want to keep the tradition of this event alive yet keep progressing forward with what attendees ask for," said Chapman. "Starting with the Centennial Gala through to this 30th anniversary of the Street Faire we all hoped, and believed we achieved, highlighting the amazing history, traditions and deep values of this community."
Renee Ledbetter, executive director of the Ceres Chamber of Commerce, said this year's Street Faire had a "very special ambiance with the renovations to downtown, a different layout for the bands, wood fencing, wood spool tables...it just felt so improved upon this year."
Ledbetter said the event offered the best car show in the history of the Ceres Street Faire with a record entry of cars.
Chuck Lee took the "Most Unique" prize for his 1955 Chevy delivery wagon. Darlene Bentley's 1956 210 Post Chevy took the "City Council" choice award while Don Epps' 1941 Chevy pickup won the "Mayor's Pick." Richard Mora's 1949 Cadillac was chosen for the "Elvin Pick" award. The 1954 Ford Country sedan owned by Art Silva drove off with the "Competitor's Choice" award. Jonathan Dias and his 1929 Ford Tudor sedan won the "Police Chief's Pick" while Silviano Suarez's 1966 Pontiac GTO won the "Fire Chief's Pick." Steve Castillo's 1952 Chevy was honored with the "People's Choice" award. Bruce Dodge's 1933 Ford Coupe was selected for the "Best of Show."
Al Martinez took "Best of Show Truck" while the Grand Champion prize was captured by the 1971 Chevelle entry by Hugo Padilla.
Award winners in the 2018 Ceres Street Faire Parade were as follows:
• Novelty Division -Junior - First place, Becki's Munchkins; second, Don Pedro Dolphins; third, Westport/Ceres 4-H.
• Novelty - Senior Division - first place, Central Valley Cruisers.
• Future Horsemen Western - Under 8 - first place, Skyler Ring.
• Tractor Division - first place, Belkorp AG - John Deere.
• Auto - Commercial Division - first place, La Cascada; second, Anderson Tow; third place, Ceres Health & Wellness.
• Auto - Decorated Division - first, Sole Saver Shoe Repair; second, Masonic Lodge; third, Sierra Vista.
• Auto - Custom Built Division - first, Big Red (Save Mart); and second, Highway 99 PT Cruisers.
• Dance - Junior Division - first, Ceres Diamond Cheer Team; second, Ceres Jr. Bulldogs Cheerleaders.
• Dance - Senior Division - first, Footnotes Elite.
• Color Guard - Military Division - first, American Legion Color Guard.
• Float - Youth Division - first, Ceres Jr. Bulldogs Football; second, Ceres Reds & Red Hots; third, CYB Giants & American Heroes.
• Float - Commercial Division - first, Belkorp AG/John Deere; second, Stanislaus Farm Supply.
• Float - Theme Division - first, Ceres Water Tower float.
Those who were not present for the awards ceremony and would like to pick up their trophy may email ceressfparade@gmail.com no later than May 18.
The CUSD Foundation's 11th annual Raffle Fundraiser took place Saturday, May 5 at the Street Faire. Proceeds from ticket donations support activities at Ceres schools and provide supplemental instructional support for Ceres teachers.
Three $500 cash prizes and three prize packages valued at $500 were raffled. Two of the three $500 cash prizes were won by Alex Morales and Richard Sandoval, with tickets purchased from Virginia Parks and La Rosa Elementary School students, respectively. These prizes were donated by J.L. Bray & Son, Inc. and United Inspection.
Mike Mullan of Ceres won the $500 grocery package donated by Cost Less Foods. He bought the ticket from a Whitmore Charter School student.
The $500 entertainment package was won by Amy Hulsey who bought her ticket from a Whitmore Charter student. This package included Black Oak Casino free slot play and dinner. In addition, this package contained two passes from Funworks, two all-day passes to Raging Waters San Jose, four train tickets from the California State Railroad Museum, two tickets to Gilroy Gardens, as well as a family package for four donated by the California Academy of Sciences.
A $500 gas grill barbeque donated by Lowe's in Modesto went to Jason Schlarb, who bought his winning ticket from an Adkison Elementary student.
The bonus prize, a cuddly grey elephant, was won by Janelle Guitron of Ceres, who purchased the ticket from a Sinclear Elementary student.
Additional donations came from Westamerica Bank, Ceres Rotary, F.F.&J. Architects, Diamond Bar Arena, Del Taco and Round Table, both of Ceres, and Dr. Scott Siegel.
Participating in the drawing of winning tickets were CUSD Foundation founding member Dave McConnell, Ceres Lions Club President Chad Adams, Ceres Vice-Mayor Mike Kline and Ceres City Councilman Bret Durossette.
