Just Okay
My wife…read moreand I went to the festival yesterday for the first time.
The overall rating of 3 stars is appropriate.
http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/hayward-zucchini-festival-hayward?select=dYSPf__c4ER98iLJE75kdg#41SxUmKUYCEKwtwWZfhESw:
I was kind of a rebel.
I walked in without paying because I was lazy and had a bad attitude (I didn't feel like walking to one of the official entrances, and I ignored this girl who tried to stop me- "Okay...").
My wife couldn't follow me in (she got blocked off by some guy), and so she paid $8 to enter (her purse was searched- the only thing lethal I had on me was my bad sense of humor).
The tickets double as coupons for The Mexican, a restaurant that's just across the street ("20% Off your next on premise visit only").
Anyway, I'm glad that I didn't pay (the Fremont Festival of the Arts is much larger, and admission is free).
http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/hayward-zucchini-festival-hayward?select=dYSPf__c4ER98iLJE75kdg#socer8wJKXaipbNyzfww_A:
The cashier was quite friendly.
The guy grilling the food was a bit curt, but I only had to wait a minute for my hot dog.
It would have been nice if there was a wider selection of drinks.
In terms of the napkins, there were probably some around, but it wasn't obvious.
There are about 5 good art booths.
In general, though, we weren't interested in buying anything but food (there are a decent number of promotional booths, and we didn't check any of them out).
http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/hayward-zucchini-festival-hayward?select=dYSPf__c4ER98iLJE75kdg#IKhgQFTa30gT0BWoYo-PNw:
The Kaye Bohler Band rocked the Main Stage (the Bohannon Stage is on the other side of the park- it's part of the kids area). Kaye has a powerful and bluesy voice.
At the end of the show, she announced that customers who bought 2 CD's for $30 would be placed on the mailing list.
The Rock Bottom Boys perform this afternoon.
They're a fun and wonderful group (we saw them perform at the Alameda County Fair).
As another reviewer mentions, zucchini isn't as prevalent as you would think. You can buy zucchini bread (for $4) and fried zucchini (for $6). That's about it.
On the plus side, the zucchini bread is supposed to be great.
We didn't look at them, but souvenirs are sold here.
http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/hayward-zucchini-festival-hayward?select=dYSPf__c4ER98iLJE75kdg#bWle6qSKjx8-pRR-2KTknw:
http://docsqnpit.com/:
I was going to order from the other BBQ booth, but I noticed that their menu was more limited.
http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/hayward-zucchini-festival-hayward?select=dYSPf__c4ER98iLJE75kdg#RKDtH2H7C3KudwEHpGpmxA:
I'm anal when it comes to writing. On the menu, Link Sandwich should be Hot Link Sandwich, and Pull Pork should be Pulled Pork.
Anyway, I would have asked for the sauce on the side if I knew that my hot link was going to be drenched with it. The main issue, though, is that it just wasn't that flavorful. It would have been fine if I got no sauce at all.
The cashier struck me as being a bit crazy (he kept shouting and repeating himself). He and the others worked well together, though, and I only had to wait a minute for my hot link sandwich.
Rib Meal: $11.
Slab: $24.
If possible (even a big eater like me can only eat so much), I would have bought a Rib Meal and also a Philly Cheesesteak (at least 3 booths sell them).
At one point, we had to search for someplace to sit, but there's plenty of seating (I didn't know if these women in front of us were mother and daughter or lesbian lovers).
At some spots, the ground is a bit uneven, so be careful while you're walking.
We were here for over an hour.
It was a good experience overall.
It's worth going to the festival for the food and music.
Kids should also have fun.
I can't say, though, that it's worth $8 to enter.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Binebu5mwkA
