The AmCan Community Celebration

July 22nd, 2003

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Introduction:

From transformations, location changes, day modifications, staff changes, and even cancellations, Friday Night Live, a free event at the Canyon Plaza off of Highway 29, 6 to 9pm, has become possibly the most uncertain and difficult community project the city has ever faced.  Seven years ago, the city council dreamed of a summer city event to bring the entire community together to celebrate AmCan, today it has become something more, an event to celebrate what AmCan has become, the accomplishments we have achieved as a community, and the people who make our city a great place to live in.  What was an attempt to expand the Vallejo Farmer's Market into AmCan turned into something not many could have envisioned.

Behind The Scenes:

When the event first started, it was strictly a farmer's market type event held at the Visitors Center.  After several weeks of moderate turnout and success, the community suddenly lost interest and turnout became miniscule.  Many changes were made, such as moving the celebration to a new location and day, but after moderate success, that too did not work as intended.  The event had mixed feelings throughout the years as some wanted it to finally die while some wanted it to continue; in the end it came down to the push of several community groups and citizens to convince the council that the money spent was worth its value in bringing the citizens of AmCan together.

Although with on looking skeptics and criticism, the event was finally revisited again, this time pushed to Fridays, and moved to the Canyon Plaza.  With the move came a new larger layout, a location visible off a commonly used freeway, and a day where more companies were available to participate.  It had become more organized, advertised, and involved more than just a farmer's market, in fact, it doesn't even look like a farmers market anymore with all the lively entertainment and family activities around.

While the cost for each event costs the city between $500 to $1000, those involved agree that getting the community together is worth the effort and cost.

The Celebration:

Imagine driving home from work, in the corner of your eye, you see a walking grape, a small band, a rock climbing stand, decent sized crowds, a 1915 Ford, and booths of people selling everything from arts and crafts, jewelry, food, toys, to clothes - This is Friday Night Live.  After desperately trying to find a parking spot in the full lot, you decide to check it out.  On the left of you is the Soroptimist International booth, a new woman's group in AmCan, on the right is a beanie babies booth.  You keep walking and you glance Cold Stone ice-cream, one of the newest AmCan companies that came to promote their business. You continue to walk, on the left you see a classic 1915 Ford, on the right a booth selling sunglasses, a clown, and a huge mountain climbing stick coming out of the ground in front of you.  On the left you see a Spa Bellisimo information booth with a massage bed, and Studio 29, another new local company.  Continuing around the corner you finally come across the real stuff, the band of the day, the Lion's Club hot dog stand, and Rooster's Cafe.

If you ever attended the celebration, you are sure to see smiling faces, laughing children, and just families having a good time together.  Its a wonderful place to bring the children, eat, and enjoy the music with other residents.

A Look Into The Future:

Although it seems as if Friday Night Live finally took off, its not official just yet, but chances are if it survived through seven years, it will definitely survive another seven.  The city hopes to attract an even larger crowd in the future, maybe even the entire Canyon Plaza.  They are also hoping to attract more funds; perhaps business sponsored events so that the city does not have to pay the bulk of the cost.  Everyone we spoke too agreed that the event was a blast; families enjoyed the event as a time well spent, and businesses saw the opportunity as a great way to promote themselves as well as sell their products.  A very special thanks to City Manager, Mark Joseph, and Recreation Supervisor, Roddrick Sweeney, who was a instrumental in getting the event done, for taking time to talk to us during the celebration.  For more information, or to sign up for a free booth, please contact Sweeney at 647-4566.

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