Outdoor festivals are among my favorite things about Summer. Sunny warm days, streets closed to traffic, live music wafting from stages, the smell of grilling meat in the air. A slow wander through booths displaying art, clothes and jewelry. Discovering gems in your own backyard, supporting local artists and vendors. Appreciating the slower pace and unhurried vibe festivals are known for. As more vendors develop a presence online and have the ability to ship, I thought I’d share a few Bay Area festival finds from this season. Whether you are local or not, you can get to know these Bay Area artists and creators too!
Charlie Frank’s Pies
Sooo, I had every intention of taking a picture of this delicious mini pie before it was gone- however, it didn’t work out that way. Forgive me. I love ginger in pretty much everything from smoothies to baked goods. This Caribbean Ginger Sweet Potato Pie is the absolute truth. Fortunately I discovered Charlie Frank’s Pies early in the festival season- I made sure to find them at every festival in Oakland this year. With the holidays just around the corner, treat yourself- this empty wrapper says it all.
Feminine Funk
I love a good statement tee. Feminine Funk is bold, sassy and celebrates women of all shapes and sizes. Super dope. I’m a fan and love to wander by their booth whenever I see it; I picked up one of my favorite t-shirts from them at a festival in Oakland.
Infinite Creations by Natalie
I have a bit of a ‘smell good’ habit. Candles, soaps, oils, lotions- I love it all. Bay Area festivals have no shortage of handmade butters and creams, infused with essential oils. Some are better than others. I stopped by Infinite Creations by Natalie at the Art and Soul Festival in Oakland. The Citrus Zest shea butter is just the right consistency and has a light fruit scent. If you suffer from dry skin or eczema (like I do), this shea butter really helps add moisture without being too thick or greasy. For the artists out there, Natalie also hosts paint parties! The day I stopped by, there were people creating works of art as part of their festival experience. A little something for everyone.
Bali Prema
Bali Prema designs remind me of breezy beach days in exotic tropical destinations. Their jumpsuits come in brilliantly bold prints, flowy, comfortable and effortlessly stylish. TK and I stumbled on their booth last year and both picked up jumpsuits for our next beach vacay. On our trip to Costa Rica, our jumpsuits were perfect for wandering through the town and walks on the beach. We joked that we barely wore anything else on our trip- a definite benefit if you’re looking to pack light! If you find them at a Bay Area festival, the prices are $10-15 cheaper than the prices online, so keep your eyes open for them. I’ve caught them at festivals on the Peninsula and in the South Bay.
Estilo Clothing
Estilo has been a festival favorite of mine for a while. I first encountered their booth last year at Friday Nights at OMCA. The vibrant designs that celebrate culture, art and music are beautiful enough to hang on your wall; having them screen printed on clothes allows you to carry the expressions of joy they depict with you through your day. If you’re in the Bay Area, keep your eyes open for Estilo at festivals in San Francisco and the East Bay. Look for Jerry to share a huge, warm smile with you, soak up the good vibes and leave with something beautiful.
So there you have it, some great Bay Area festival finds! If you are new to the Bay Area, or haven’t explored many festivals in the area, be sure to catch my post about festivals you don’t want to miss.
Do you have any favorite local vendors you’ve discovered at Bay Area festivals?