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Michael Cacciotti, cupping his hand to his right ear, heard something in the bushes outside the South Pasadena City Council Chambers.
“Could it be?” asked Cacciotti, laughing as he looked around at his fellow council members.
In the far distance, coming inside the doors of the council chambers Wednesday night was a familiar face to those who took part in the 2017 626 Golden Streets event from South Pasadena to Azusa.
“Look everybody, look, look,” yelled an enthusiastic Cacciotti as Sasquatch came bounding in to greet the City Council members.
Gabe the Sasquatch, the official spokesperson for the event, was back in town, this time to promote the next 626 Golden Streets, a five-mile effort scheduled for Sunday, May 19, from South Pasadena through parts of Alhambra to the San Gabriel Mission.
Appropriately, its nickname is “Mission to Mission.”
To go the distance, participants will jog, walk, skate, bicycle, and stroll while enjoying the sights and sounds along the way.
It’s not a race as there are no medals or awards – only miles of smiles on open streets.
And the best part, it’s free.
In March 2017, more than 100,000 people came out to enjoy the 626 Golden Streets featuring an 18-mile route through South Pasadena, San Marino, Arcadia, Monrovia, Duarte, Irwindale and Azusa.
Occasional rain showers didn’t dampen the spirits of those enjoying the ciclovia-type event, the largest of its kind in North America.
Audience members greeted Sasquatch Wednesday with an applause as the giant good-natured beast gave Councilmember Robert Joe a high-five, and a big hug before sitting in his seat.
“It’s going to be an exciting day and I want everyone to come out for it,” said Cacciotti of the upcoming 626 event. “You’ve got three months to get in shape. It’s going to be great.”
