News Update
Best of the East Bay 2018 in Downtown Alameda
Look for this summer’s East Bay Express “Best of the East Bay 2018” issue in local newsstands. This year’s results include plenty of old favorites as well as some first-time winners. These Downtown Alameda businesses are among the winners. Congratulations to all!
High Scores is deemed the Best Place to Relive Your ’80s Childhood. The arcade is chock-full of nostalgia, classic jams on the jukebox, and good old-fashioned low-tech fun.- The artists at Lucky 13 Tattoos are known for crafting quality tattoos in a welcoming atmosphere and have deservedly earned the reputation as Best Tattoo Parlor.
- Twirl is noted as a favorite for Best Indoor Play Space for Kids. Twirl has created a community hub where groups not only play, create, and explore but share experiences and build friendships!
- With comfy seats and in-theater dining and drinking, the Alameda Theatre & Cineplex offers the Best Luxury Theater Experience in the Bay Area.
- Burma Superstar is hands down the Best Burmese Restaurant in the Bay Area to experience Burmese homestyle cooking and their award winning tea leaf salad. We think the Alameda location is one of the best.
- Peet’s Coffee at the corner of Park Street & Central Ave is one of many locations serving the Best Coffee throughout the Bay Area.
- It’s not enough just to sell bikes. Alameda Bicycle also wants to make sure that the people who buy them use them and enjoy them. This makes them one of Best Bike Shops.
- You’ll find La Penca Azul serving delicious Mexican food and margaritas every day of the week. It’s no surprise that they are considered one of the Best Mexican Restaurants in the East Bay.
View all the results here: www.eastbayexpress.com/oakland/BestOf
Street Fair Loaded With Crafts, Food, and Music
Enjoy the summer sun and experience island fun at one of Alameda’s biggest and best events! The 34th Annual Downtown Alameda Art & Wine Faire will be loaded with art & craft vendors, mouth-watering festival foods, local craft beer and wine, live music on three stages, and two kids’ areas with games and carnival rides. Festival-goers will also enjoy a stroll in Alameda’s historic downtown district where many of the unique shops, restaurants, and services will be offering specials throughout the weekend.
When you combine our lovely weather, live music, refreshing libations, games and rides, and your favorite fair food all wrapped up in Alameda’s beautiful island surroundings, you have a must-attend event. The 34th Annual Downtown Alameda Art & Wine Faire has something for everyone and is FREE to attend. The fun happens July 28 & 29 from 10:00am to 6:00pm each day.
Each day offers nonstop live entertainment. Swingtown is coming all the way from Florida to perform a tribute to Steve Miller & Peter Frampton on Saturday starting at 1:00pm. Some of the Bay Area’s best tribute bands will also be here to get the crowds dancing in front of the stages. (view music schedule)
Thanks to Coconut Cay SkyJuice, the new acoustic Alameda Stage will be bursting with local music programmed by Alameda guitarist Jim Parodi. Catch performances by Alameda amatuer and professional musicians including solo artists Drew Harrison, Michael Barrett, and Paul Manousos, and bands Flunch and Wicked Lobstah. Read More
Celebrate National Ice Cream Day in Alameda
Celebrate National Ice Cream Day in Downtown Alameda on Sunday, July 15.
National Ice Cream Day and National Ice Cream Month was signed into law by President Ronald Reagan on July 9, 1984: “Ice cream is a nutritious and wholesome food, enjoyed by over ninety percent of the people in the United States. It enjoys a reputation as the perfect dessert and snack food.” (Presidential Proclamation 5219)
Although the proclamation was intended to be for one specific day, the celebration continues each year on the third Sunday of July.
It’s worth the trip to celebrate National Ice Cream Day in Downtown Alameda. The city’s oldest operating ice cream shop, Tucker’s Super-Creamed Ice Cream, started in 1941 using family recipes. Over the years, this favorite gathering place has been joined in Downtown Alameda by a variety of frozen yogurt and boba tea places.
Find frozen treats and milk teas at these downtown locations:
Ice Cream & Yogurt
Tucker’s Ice Cream, 1349 Park Street
Tuttimelon, 2402 Central Ave
Yogofina, 1335 Park Street
Milk Teas & Smoothies
i-Tea, 1606 Park Street
T4, 1431A Park Street
Tapioca Express, 2306 Encinal Avenue #B
The Beanery, 1650 Park Street
The Local, 1333 Park Street
Local Businesses Celebrate Milestone Anniversaries
Locally owned businesses make Downtown Alameda a better place. They help our community thrive and add to Alameda’s unique charm. To all of you business owners who have recently surpassed milestone anniversaries, we celebrate you!
30 Years:
Supercuts, 1329 Park Street
25 Years:
Corazon Z. Pangilinan & Associates, 1516 Oak Street #209
Kevin R. Kearney, CPA, 1516 Oak Street #207
20 Years:
Fort Knox, 1546 Park Street
15 Years:
Farmstead Cheeses & Wines, 1650 Park Street
Jamie Candelaria Greene, PhD, 2447 Santa Clara Ave #209
10 Years:
Alameda Theatre & Cineplex, 2317 Central Ave
Alameda Wine Company, 2315 Central Ave
Jack in the Box, 1257 Park Street
Jo Ann Nails & Hair, 1619 Park Street
Kevin Minney, Partner in Wellness, 2515 Santa Clara Ave #107
Park Barber Shop, 2326 Santa Clara Ave
5 Years: Read More
Alameda’s Fourth of July Parade Starts on Park Street
Independence Day 2018
Get ready to have some fun in Downtown Alameda on July 4th.
The Mayor’s 4th of July Parade is one of the best Independence Day parades in the Bay Area. Spectators of all ages look forward to seeing a lively procession of vintage cars, hand-decorated flatbeds (“floats”), dancing horses, marching bands, dancing troupes, cheering squads, bicyclists, musicians, costumed characters, clowns, and surprises.
Since its inception in 1976, the annual parade has grown to boast over 160 “floats” and over 2,500 participants that travel along a 3.3 mile route across the island city, from Park Street on the east end to Webster Street on the west end.
The 2018 Grand Marshals are Pauline Kelly, former owner of Pauline’s Antiques, and Duane Watson, former owner of Lee Auto Supply. Both were longtime shop owners in Downtown Alameda before retiring this year.
For a front row seat along the Park Street sidewalks, plan to arrive well before the 10:00 am start time. The Mayor’s 4th of July parade attracts over 20,000 people and many of the spectators search out the best viewing spots in Downtown Alameda. Read More