And then THIS happened: The Eclectic – Thousands Pack South Pasadena Streets

Organizers say 8,000 to 10,000 on Mission Street and surrounding streets for South Pasadena’s 10th annual Music Festival and Art Walk

PHOTO: Timothy Straw | SouthPasadenan.com News | Eclectic Music Festival South Pasadena

Kathy Thomas of Century City was ecstatic when talking about her first visit to South Pasadena on Saturday.

Among many who hit the rails, Thomas took the Metro Gold Line from downtown Los Angeles, headed east and exited at the Mission Street Station where the train stopped at the footsteps of the city’s 10th annual Music Festival and Art Walk.

PHOTO: Cyndi Bemel | SouthPasadenan.com | SPARC Stage The Eclectic Music Festival 2018

Once there, she couldn’t believe what people had been telling her for years. “OMG, this is so much fun,” said Thomas, along with a group of friends who joined her for an event that seems to get bigger and better every year. “People have been telling me about this festival for a long time and I finally made it. There is just so much to do. We’re just all having a great time.”

- Advertisement -

Music Director Brad Colerick lined up more than 50 musical acts in a variety of genres on the The Eclectic’s 15 stages, including four outdoor venues, plus inside the South Pasadena Library Community Room, Calvary Church, South Pasadena Theatre Workshop and other intimate settings.

PHOTO: Timothy Straw | SouthPasadenan.com | Big Bad Voodoo Daddy | Eclectic Music Festival South Pasadena

“This is the seventh that I have been involved in and I think it’s the best,” said Colerick. “Everyone seems to be having a great time.”

Debbie Heap, from Pasadena, returned to the Eclectic for the second year and didn’t hold back her enthusiasm. “I love it,” she said. “All the music, the musicians and the crowd are great.. It’s a really a good event.”

Sandy Greenstein, also of Pasadena, said she liked the groups that played original music and a variety of sounds. “It’s just a wonderful festival,” she said. “I’m having a great time.”

PHOTO: Timothy Straw | SouthPasadenan.com | Big Bad Voodoo Daddy | Eclectic Music Festival South Pasadena

Relaxing after his performance in the early the afternoon of the festival was Tim Fleming, who helped kicked off the event at 3 p.m., playing guitar for Little Silver Hearts on the main stage.

“It’s a great event,” said Fleming, a South Pasadena resident. “It’s a wonderful way to get everybody out for a fun afternoon and night. I like to see kids, dogs, bands, all the art. It’s all wonderful.”

Elisabeth Eilers called the Festival “one of my favorite events of the year,” as she watched members of the South Pasadena Transit Authority, a tribute band for the group Chicago, perform on the Eclectic stage.

“There are parents in the band who are my son’s friends going back to preschool,” noted Eilers, who sits on the South Pasadena Board of Education. “There’s such a history for me.”

Eilers said, “the Eclectic is a celebration of multi-ethnic music,” noting that there’s something for everyone. It’s a very special event for our community.”

South Pasadena’s Music Festival and Art Walk, is a grassroots, volunteer-driven attraction, that also showcases South Pasadena, its small town “Mayberry” appeal that promises to bring people back.

Among them will be Thomas, who hopped off the Metro train and found nothing but fun throughout the afternoon and night in the city on her first visit to town.

“I’ll definitely return next year,” she promised. “They’ve done an amazing job.”

 

STAY TUNED FOR MORE COVERAGE….