"Rock the Block" has become an annual event in downtown Half Moon Bay. As the Chamber of Commerce website puts it: "Rock the Block is a free Coastside Block Party celebrating life on the Coastside. It is an opportunity to visit with neighbors, listen to great bands, sample some Coastal cuisine, learn about local non-profits and businesses, see what Half Moon Bay Main Street shops have to offer, and have some good old fashioned fun!"
The event was slightly different this year. Gone was the carnival with ferris wheel, replaced by a jumper & pony rides. The block party was also located further south on Main, to accommodate the Chamarita practice parade this year. Among the booths are fund-raisers and street merchants.
Proceeds from the event benefit the lighting of the trees down Main Street, the Half Moon Bay Coastside Chamber and local scholarships. Mike & I met with many friends throughout the event. We enjoyed the music and feeling of community. It was also the first time that we experienced the I.D.E.S. Hall's famous roast beef sandwiches. These include barbecued beef purchased from ranchers outside the area, and cooked over several days in the large ovens at the I.D.E.S. hall. We saw several people load up. One man said that he comes out here from over the hill just to buy the sandwiches! Apparently, he isn't the only one. There was also their equally famous linguica sausage. Since we stopped off there for dinner, we didn't find the actual food court - located in the Bank of America lot - until after we had eaten.
We got to work off some of our meal moving to the music of the Robin Campbell band. Here is a link to the event, which lists sponsors & activities: http://www.halfmoonbaychamber.org/events-calendar/annual-events/rock-block
Even though it is over, there is still next year!
