The 3rd annual Birdstock Music Festival and Artisan Market features live local bands, artists, merchant raffles, pet adoption, sidewalk sales, beer garden, and kids zone on Saturday, Oct. 19 will be held downtown from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Bird Rock along La Jolla Boulevard.
Proceeds from the event support Bird Rock Elementary School and other bird stock festivals. The family-friendly, community-centered, music-centered day-long event will once again be co-chaired by Kelsey Martin, Ariana Opsvig, and Melisa Titlow.
As in previous years, Birdstock will feature live entertainment including a dedicated children’s stage, snacks from local restaurants, family activities, special offers from local shops and an artisan market. In order to provide a bigger, better and safer experience for everyone, a portion of La Jolla Boulevard will be closed.
Opsvig, event co-chair, talked about the origins of BirdStock. “It came about as a group of us at Bird Rock Community Council talked about how we could better support our shops and primary schools and bring the community together,” she added. . “We live in such a unique community, with homes, schools and shops in this area. We wanted to do something where everyone could win. So we created a street fair. I thought about holding it.”
Three years later, the event, which has a street festival feel, has added more vendors, musicians, stages and activities, and sponsors by closing down an entire block of La Jolla Boulevard. The boulevard will fully reopen by 8 p.m.
Darcey Miller worked on an art project at last year’s festival.
The main stage for live music is Bird Rock Surf Shop, located at 5509 La Jolla Blvd. Music will also be played both inside and outside Beaumont’s, located at 5662 La Jolla Blvd.
“BirdStock is a fundraiser, and our sponsors and vendors donate,” Opsvig said. He added that there will also be certain activities scheduled during the event that will have a participation fee. There are also lots of fun activities, including mini golf and a hat bar where you can make your own chapeau. We also plan to sell branded apparel for events.
“We’re going to have a wreath-making station and a boutique bar with wine and liquor tasting, where people can drink them,” Opsvig said. “We’ll also have all kinds of games, raffles and refreshments. One of the main goals of this event is to support local merchants and it’s one of the things that makes Bird Rock special.”
Opsvig added that BirdStock has “something for everyone,” including children, who will have their own areas such as bounce houses and arts and crafts tables. “We’re going to have a great book corner in the kids area, where people can read fairy tales and where they can buy children’s books and clothing,” she said. “There will also be face painters and balloon animals. There will be various musicians all over the street.”
Opsvig hinted that event organizers were promising “special surprise" attractions. Also, there used to be vendors on the sidewalk. This year it will be set up on the street, where merchants will set up tables and sell their store’s wares. There will also be designated firebreaks along the road. ”
“We have several goals, but the most important one is to have an event where everyone in the community can have fun, come together and have a really fun day,” Opsvig concluded. “We feel this will strengthen our community and make us a better community.”
Bird Rock Surf Shop Main Stage
Mark Fisher 10am
Birdrockers 11:15am
Sancaster House 12:15 p.m.
Tecolote Canyon 1:30pm
The Voice 2:45 p.m.
Pocket change 4pm
Sea Poodle 5:15 p.m.
Beaumont Restaurant Stage
Sweet Pickles, in-store, 1 p.m.
Beach Driver, Outdoors, 2pm
Alexandria Weise, indoors, 3 p.m.
Blossom and Bloom, outdoor, 4 p.m.
Freak Scene, Indoors, 5 p.m.
Lissa Dee, Outdoors, 6 p.m.
