By Joyce Oroz
Living in Aromas for the last ten years has taught me one thing; the people of Aromas know how to put on a party. The annual party is called AROMAS DAY, a day of fun, family, and friends. This year the celebration will be Sunday, August 30 beginning with breakfast at 7 a.m. and ending at 4 p.m. when the last band of the day hits the road.
The historic Aromas Grange, refurbished and beautiful, offers a delicious pancake breakfast from 7 to 11 a.m. and while you are there, check out all the wonderful items in the silent auction that benefits the Teressie White Memorial Scholarship Fund. The scholarships are awarded to outstanding Aromas students going on to college.
Your day in Aromas will be rich with live music, Art in the Park, classic cars, and festive foods. The street fair opens at 9 a.m. and runs full-throttle to 4 p.m. Arts and crafts vendors line the streets along with food and educational booths. There will be newly designed collectors’ item T-shirts for sale, decorated with an original Aromas scene.
Don’t miss the annual Aromas Day Parade that starts at 2 p.m. or if you wish to be in the parade, entry forms are available at Marshall’s Grocery store and the Old Fire House Market in downtown Aromas. For more information about joining the parade, call Terry at 831-206-1174. My advice is see and do everything, bring the family and enjoy. The small but beautiful park in the middle of town offers shaded picnic tables for eating and relaxing.
Artistic stimulation is everywhere, especially in the park where the Aromas Hills Artisans display their fabulous artwork. This is your chance to purchase original paintings and incredible crafts directly from the people who make them. There will be a wide variety of media, such as stained glass, weaving, clay sculpture, beaded and metal jewelry, photography, paper-art and more.
The most fabulous and unusual item in all of Aromas is the community fish sculpture in the park, on the fence, created by Tina Baine and a bazillion local people. You have to see it to believe it!
And while you’re soaking up Aromas art, search out the eight murals around town, one of them is very new.
Children and the ‘young at heart’ will enjoy the petting zoo featuring farm animals such as chickens, ducks, little goats and bunnies. And, of course, there will be pony rides and face painting. Older children will want to tackle the climbing wall. Don’t forget the non-profit food booths, like the Boy Scouts, and 4-H. 4-H Youth. They will be selling plants, planters, popcorn and homemade jam, and handing out information about the 4-H Youth Development Program.
The Aromas Eagles are the premier service club in Aromas and proudly sponsor Aromas Day. The Eagles, Aromas Hills Artisans (AHA), the Aromas Community Grange, Granite Rock, and the Aromas 4-H will all contribute to provide the tractor-pulled wagon rides.
Enjoy an easy drive on Highway 129 from Hwy 1 or 101 to Rogge Lane. Follow signs to the off-site donation parking on Markus and catch a free wagon ride into town. Aromas Day is a free, family-friendly party that you don’t want to miss. See you there!
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For more information, go to www.AromasDay.com or call Jan at 831-277-8194.