Pigeon Point Lighthouse Hostel celebrates with free 25th Anniversary Festival on September 8
August 30, 2007
The Pigeon Point Lighthouse Hostel welcomes one and all to a special 25th Anniversary Festival at the Pigeon Point Light Station State Historic Park! This free outdoor festival offers a wide range of entertainment, activities, and fun for the whole family. We hope to see you there!
Entertainment
Award-winning children’s group the Banana Slug String Band will bring their unique mix of theater, puppetry, and audience participation to Pigeon Point, with a lively performance ranging from rockin’ boogies to sensitive ballads, folk songs to reggae and rap. These loveable musician-educators are dedicated to promoting positive attitudes about the environment through music, humor, and fun.
Few can resist the infectious energy and merriment of the San Francisco Scottish Fiddlers. Guided by musical director Alasdair Fraser, the Scottish Fiddlers draw from a rich repertoire of contemporary tunes and traditional Celtic music—there’ll be dancing on the bluffs as the fiddlers pour forth their jigs and reels.
Marimba band Sadza revels in the spirited rhythms of ecstatic dance music from Zimbabwe, much of which has ancient roots in the spiritual traditions of the Shona people. Based in Santa Cruz, Sadza (named for the traditional Zimbabwean staple of stiff cornmeal porridge) performs on marimba, mbira, karimba, hosho (gourd shakers), and drum.
Puppet shows about the history of Pigeon Point Lighthouse will be presented hourly by Exploring New Horizons, a nonprofit organization which runs the Pigeon Point Environmental Education Program for youth.
Also on tap are performances by Scottish country dancers, and a sing-along with Salty Walt, of Salty Walt and the Rattlin’ Ratlines, winner of a 2006 SF Weekly award for "Best Sea Shanty Band."
Activities for children include face painting, paper making, chalk drawing, and environmental activities and games, led by Hostel Adventure Program naturalists.
Exhibits and attractions
- Take a historical walking tour of the site, led by California State Parks docents.
- Explore Whaler’s Cove beach, re-opened to the public in June 2007, thanks to the efforts of the Peninsula Open Space Trust .
- Enjoy the oceanfront boardwalk and Mel’s Lane bluff-top walking trail.
- Discover new interpretive exhibits about the history of Pigeon Point Lighthouse, installed in the fog-signal building in July 2007 by the National Marine Sanctuaries.
- See national history displays and talk with docents from nearby Ano Nuevo State Reserve.
Refreshments
Hot dogs and tofu dogs, snacks, drinks, and sweets will be available for sale, as well as strawberry shortcake and chocolate-dipped strawberries from nearby organic grower Swanton Berry Farm .
Silent Auction
The festival also features a silent auction, with proceeds going to support the hostel and the Golden Gate Council of Hostelling International USA, a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization.
Items up for auction include:
- Two-night stay in a tent bungalow at Costanoa eco adventure resort
- Dinner for six at the Wine Vault in South San Francisco
- Gift certificate for 50 songs from iTunes
- Ultra-premium vodka gift baskets from SKYY Vodka
- Around the World wine basket, featuring wines from France, Italy, and Australia
- Two tickets to the Golden State Warriors
- Noah Lowry autographed baseball from the San Francisco Giants