July 3, 2007

Bigger, more crowded Dancin’ on the Avenue

More music, more food, more fun

By Carol Rosen
Editor

The 2007 Dancin’ on the Avenue broke records in the number of people attending, an estimated 35,000, as well as sponsorships and beverage sales.

Although there was little room to dance in the street, the crowds were quite enthusiastic and the music was great at the 12th annual Willow Glen Business Association’s Dancin’ on the Avenue. The 2007 edition of the event broke records in the number of people attending, an estimated 35,000, as well as sponsorships and beverage sales.

While there was little room to walk, and less room to dance, the crowds still grouped around the four bands—Joe Sharino Band, Nu Day, the Groove Kings and PT and the Cruzers—and found ways to keep their feet moving. Even age didn’t matter, one little girl danced with her daddy in her mommy’s arms while teens, adults and seniors strutted their feet to the music.

The Kids’ Court was filled with children and their families watching the entertainment on the Community Stage or playing games to raise money for the YMCA. There were also tempting smells in the air to meet the food needs of anyone looking for burgers to popcorn to kabobs. Local bars and restaurants also seated large crowds, many of whom wanted to get off their tired toes.

Among the new items this year was a VIP Center. Staffed with volunteers, the idea was to show appreciation to event sponsors and civic dignitaries. The center also provided front row seats to the Joe Sharino Band where guests were treated to food and drinks donated by WGBA members.

More than 200 volunteers helped out in the Kids’ Court and with serving 88 kegs of beer, 68 cases of wine and 123 cases of water. They also sold more than 45.000 tickets for drinks and 300 wine glasses.

The evening set all kinds of records besides the turnout with various businesses reporting record sales and providing sales tax revenues contributing to San Jose’s bottom line. Sponsorships were up 30 percent and beverage sales climbed 33 percent to provide funds to the city’s services to keep the business district clean, safe and thriving. The increased revenues will also help WGBA aid in steam cleaning sidewalks and provide landscaping and maintenance for the city’s planters along Lincoln Avenue.

While some complaints were voiced over the Internet’s E-list, WGBA Executive Director Norma Ruiz said she’s received no complaints from residents although she had heard about them. Some residents found the crowds too large and the music too loud with lines for food and bathrooms extremely long.

“I heard through the grapevine, indirectly, on the E-list after the festival that a few residents were unhappy. But I heard nothing directly except lots of kudos,” Ruiz said. “There were no major incidents, although some people were escorted out of the festival because of inappropriate behavior. The police said there were no arrests. Actually, those of us wandering around found the scene mellower than previous years and we felt that people were have a good time.”

Dancin’ on the Avenue is a San Jose event, she explained, and “overall the residents of the Willow Glen community are absolutely gracious hosts for this event.”

Time to boogie!

The next big event for Lincoln Avenue and the Willow Glen neighborhood happens in late September as the business association brings back the Founder’s Day Parade and Celebration in conjunction with the Italian Family Fiesta.

Willow Glen Business Association was formed in 1984 in response to the formation of the Willow Glen Business Improvement District. Its purpose is to make Willow Glen’s downtown a desirable destination to shop, eat and locate a business by engaging in the maintenance and beautification of downtown Willow Glen; the promotion of a positive identity for the business community through advertising, public relations, sponsorships, events and festivals; the improvement of business conditions with strong advocacy; and the preservation of the historic and architectural character of downtown Willow Glen. The Willow Glen Business Association meets the second Tuesday of each month, from 8- to – 10 a.m. Call 408-298-2100 or go to www.downtownwillowglen.org for more information.