The 96th annual North Beach Bazaar will be more Italian-themed than Halloween-themed this year, to celebrate the neighborhood's heritage, organizers say.
The Saints Peter and Paul Salesian School (660 Filbert St.) is hosting the bazaar from 11am–7pm on Saturday and Sunday. It will feature Italian food from the Marina's A16, like calamari, meatballs, pizza and zeppole (thanks to co-owner Shelley Lindgren, whose kids attend the school). A16 will also provide cookies and cupcakes, and Water2Table is bringing raw oysters. "We amped up the food so we have it the entire weekend, rather than just the Sunday dinner," said Rina Yates, who co-chairs the event with Marissa Ovick.
"A lot of the community steps up. That’s the best part of it for me: seeing everybody come together, and we’re all working toward the same goal and everyone’s having a good time," Yates added. "There’s a real sense of community and we’re working for the kids. There’s a lot of love there. There’s a lot of tradition."
The bazaar will boast lots of activities for kids, including mini pumpkin bowling, face painting, and a sports zone with batting cages and hoops-shooting. New this year is a pier arcade, which includes skee ball and a "cash grab" machine with real and fake bills. Adults can play bingo and imbibe cocktails, wine and beer. Italian-themed merchandise, Saints Peter and Paul School merchandise (water bottles, duffle bags, hats, t-shirts), and North Beach T-shirts will be sold.
There'll be games for adults in the gym with gift certificates and liquor prizes, along with a cash raffle. The classic salami toss is always popular, too, said Kara Douglas, who's helping to promote the event. "It’s very nostalgic for me," she said. "Its a great time to be in the city."
Because the bazaar coincides with Fleet Week and overlaps with Sunday's Italian Heritage Parade, it brings in a huge crowd: Yates said about 4,000–5,000 people attend over the two days. Each year, the event reaps about $80,000 for the school, which goes toward scholarships, the arts, music, technology, junior achievement and athletics programs.
