THE Weekend To Be In Our Hometown
October 5 is the weekend to make sure you get the full 90266 experience! Whether you're a native resident, South Bay local or in from out of town, the weekend has something for everyone. Be sure to stay for the full experience! Not only is it the 42nd running of the Manhattan Beach 10k, it's the 47th annual Manhattan Beach Hometown Fair!
Our Q & A With Bea Zimbalist, President of the MB Hometown Fair Board
How has the fair evolved since it began in 1972?
The beauty of the Hometown Fair is that it hasn’t evolved that much in terms of the feel of the Fair. Arts and crafts, food and game booths have been there from the beginning. There’s always been live music and the parade, albeit a smaller one. Kid Country may have changed the most as we no longer have elephants! The Wine Garden is fairly new and I believe the big difference with the beer garden is that it’s fenced in now! Mira Costa Booster Clubs along with countless local charities are still raising money at the Fair. One thing that hasn’t changed is its mission to promote community spirit – whether that’s in the fundraising department or just plain fun department!
As a volunteer-run event, what is the secret to your success?
We have a strong board of 21 local volunteers who are committed to providing a fun-filled weekend for our community. We divide and conquer so each area has a chair overseeing it. We start meeting in March and finish up in November. Some members have been on the board for over 20 years and some are just starting out.
Manhattan Beach has a big hometown crowd that reunites each year at the Hometown Fair. Any advice for newcomers on what they should check out?
Definitely get a start on holiday shopping at the arts and crafts booths. They have some really unique items and many of them with a real local flair. Support your local schools, churches and other charities by playing a game or buying some food. For many groups, this is their main fundraiser for the year so help them reach their goals.
What special or new things do have planned for this year?
We’ll have a new free game that is a photo scavenger hunt. We’re hoping to capture the tween/teen audience with this but it’s open to all ages. Everyone who participates will get a prize and the opportunity to win a bigger prize through a raffle drawing. We’re also going to offer water filing stations in an effort to cut down on single use plastic bottles. Manhattan Beach is on the forefront of environmental causes and we’re joining in.
Shopping, beer garden and bands are pretty obvious things to do. What are some not-so-obvious things you offer?
The Free Games area is great for kids. We get so many terrific prizes donated courtesy of local stores like Skechers, Rubio’s, CPK, Round Table and many more. The Wine Garden is also a hidden gem that is definitely gaining popularity. They have live music and plenty of seating. They also have Stella Artois for those beer lovers. And when you want to beat the heat and take in some great art and local performers, stop by the Joslyn Center who serves as our Community Showcase for the weekend.
What is the best resource (webpage, social media, print resources) for attendees to find the schedule for the Fair?
Our website is the best for all the details and our Instagram and Facebook also has information and fun photos.
Do any of your Board Members get to sneak away and run the race before the fair festivities take place?
Unfortunately they don’t as we have to be there at 7am to start set up. We all feel like we’ve run a 10K by the time the weekend is over though!
MB10k Early Registration Until September 23, 2019
PRICING
$35/ages 15+
$30/ages 0-14
TWO WAYS TO REGISTER
Online at www.mb10k.com, Visa/Mastercard payments only, processing fee applies, bibs available for pick-up 10/2-10/5
In-store at Village Runner, 1840 N. Sepulveda Blvd, Manhattan Beach, California. Cash, check, Visa/Mastercard accepted, processing fee applies to credit card purchases only. Walk away with your bib number the same day!
If you have any questions about the race please visit our Event Details and FAQs pages.
THE MB10K IS A NON-PROFIT EVENT AND THE PROCEEDS ARE DONATED TO COMMUNITY FITNESS-RELATED CAUSES & SCHOLARSHIPS. THE RACE COMMITTEE ORGANIZERS AND RACE STAFF ARE VOLUNTEERS.
WE'LL SEE YOU AT THE STARTING LINE ON OCTOBER 5, 2019!
Sign up below and we'll send you valuable information about the Manhattan Beach 10k Run.
Image Credits: Manhattan Beach Hometown Fair & John Post Gallery