San Francisco street festivals and block party experiences can really vary. Some are more established and enjoy a large turnout of people who bring the party. Others struggle to find an identity beyond food stalls and standard market goods. The Union Street Festival in Cow Hollow is a strong example of the former. The crowds on Sunday were abundant and jolly, and the perfect blue sky and warm temperatures didn’t hurt the festivities. Summer is coming, and everyone could feel it.
Being my first visit to this festival, I planned to scan every stand of the market. It’s a task I take seriously, and FOMO ensures that I never skip one. I was quite impressed by the offerings. There were many quality items including precious metal jewelry, screen-printed apparel, silk vintage kimonos, vintage items repurposed into Bluetooth speakers, rope dog leashes, ombré bathrobes, custom-made classic yellow raincoats, and more. Some very creative artisans turned out.
As for food, I spotted Renaissance faire-worthy giant smoked turkey legs, frozen bananas dipped in chocolate and covered with Bavarian cream and strawberry drizzle; about 25 varieties of house-made aguas frescas, sugar-dipped fruit kebabs, tamarindo-covered gummy candies, and the list goes on. One stall had a menu entirely devoted to ube snacks, drinks, and desserts.
We had a great time exploring Union Street from Fillmore to Gough and back, while bands took the stages. Solo singers and musicians were also posted along the market route, adding to the party atmosphere.
By far, the highlight of the festival for me was the Waiter Relay Race. This is a relay for both professional waiters and civilians. They compete in teams, running while balancing a serving tray with an increasing number of canned cocktails uphill and back. The rules seemed to get hammered out during the race. Things like holding the tray with a flat hand and no holding the cans upright with the free hand were issues that prompted hilarious do-overs.
There were teams representing “Girl Power,” a team wearing banana suits, another in park ranger hats. Watching all of this from the sidelines was really fun. After the first race, I wanted to give it a try myself. The winning team left with the pride of being number one and a $600 cash prize.
Events like this remind me just how vibrant San Francisco can be when the sun comes out. It was a perfect blend of local artistry on display, great food, and community spirit, in a town that can afford to let loose a little more often.
