Spring has sprung, and with it comes the kickoff to Sunday Streets, which temporarily transforms San Francisco neighborhoods into carefree, car-free zones for all to enjoy. This Sunday marks the first installment of the 2016 season (of which Hoodline is a media sponsor), and will see Valencia Street closed to traffic and open to family-friendly festivities from 26th Street up to McCoppin Hub Plaza.

"We are kicking off the day with an opening procession at 11am at McCoppin Plaza," said Scott Reinstein, Development & Communications Director for Livable City, which is behind the program. "Carnaval San Francisco, local businesses, participants, and other groups will lead the procession from McCoppin to the end of the route on 26th Street. This will mark the official opening of the day, and everyone is encouraged to join in."

Musicians outside Radio Habana at last year's Mission event. 

The event will run from 11am-4pm, and, as Sunday Streets' most popular route of the season, Reinstein says more than 40,000 participants could be expected (including some real, actual Hoodline staff, but more on that later). 

This time around, Sunday Streets is concentrating all of its programming into two activity hubs. "These hubs are located at either end of the route, which will bring complementary programs and organizations together while opening more of the road for people to walk, roll, and play in the streets," said Reinstein.

At the northern hub, expect the civic engagement portal, kids and youth park (think storytime, live music and arts and crafts), a "livability pavilion" with Muni hybrid bus and SFMTA scavenger hunt, and a pet-themed area with pet adoptions and more.

On the southern end, you'll find dance lessons and performances, street art and live music, plus a climbing wall, pickup tennis court, yoga and more fitness-oriented activities, including a bicycle tuneup and demo area. (Here's the full activity lineup and map.)

Between 22nd and 23rd streets, you'll find the "education and professional development fair," which, in addition to City College enrollment information and media education for girls, will feature a Hoodline tent complete with writers, editors, and other members of the Hoodline team looking to meet more of our readers and future contributors in person. (Here's more about our plans for Sunday.)

With yesterday's scorching temperatures behind us, weather forecasts predict a cool but clear Sunday. "This is a completely free and open event," Reinstein reminds us, "and people and animals of all abilities are welcome."

After this weekend's event, the next Sunday Streets will be held in the Bayview/Dogpatch on May 1st. See the full calendar here.