I hope to meet you at the Festival.

Sincerely,

Patricia Foster
Mayor, City of East Palo Alto

Twenty years ago, East Palo Alto became a city after a long arduous struggle and a divisive election. In fact, it was not until 1987 that following a Supreme Court decision affirming the vote for incorporation did East Palo Alto become accepted generally as a city. In the course of those twenty years, East Palo Alto has struggled to garner the resources necessary for it to function. All said, the first five years represented a continuing struggle by the city to legitimize its incorporation. The second five years were the painful years, with the city struggling with itself regarding which direction it needed to take to combat crime, repair and replace streets, and provide the services that the citizens needed and expected. Several tax initiatives failed to garner community support. In the third five years, the City sowed the seeds of redevelopment which bore fruit in the latter half of that period with full-blown benefits manifesting themselves in the last five years. The Festival is a celebration of the joys and pain of the last twenty years. More importantly however it is an opportunity for the community to reenergize itself for the next several decades.

The Festival has been six months in the planning. It has taken a volunteer committee of over 20 members chaired by the City’s first Mayor, Ms Barbara Mouton, to not only raise the funds to make the Festival possible, but to plan its intricate details. With the theme “East Palo Alto Celebrates East Palo Alto,” the Festival has been designed to celebrate the cultural richness as well as the resourcefulness of its residents. Sixteen bands will perform over the two-day period. Youth dance, singing and performance groups will also perform throughout the two days.

Food booths representing a wide range of culinary tastes will be featured at the Festival. Indian, Mexican, Greek, Filipino, Vietnamese, Louisianan, and Texan are just some of the foods that will be available for everyone's enjoyment.

The Festival will have a “kid land” with appropriate entertainment for children and their parents. Sponsored by the Children’s Day Committee, the “kid land” area promises to be a little heaven for children with face painting, clowns, jumpers, free food and a variety of children’s games.

In addition there will be over 40 booths with arts and crafts, information about local agencies and their services, local companies, demonstration booths from local stores and information on the various city departments.

Twenty years may not be a long time in the life of a city, however for the City of East Palo Alto, very dramatic changes have occurred during that period, transforming the City from the poor community on the southern end of wealthy San Mateo in 1983 to the economically and culturally vibrant community that is on its way to greatness and prosperity.

Come join us and discover East Palo Alto, a city that has been the most well-kept secret in the Peninsula.