‘Party city’ readies for City Party

Town officials take reins of annual summer shindig on the Plaza|

Last year, Sonoma was named one of the top “party cities” in America. This week, the City of Sonoma hopes to show why, as it throws the 21st annual Sonoma City Party.

Part old-fashioned community picnic, part inter-generational music show, part culinary showcase, the free shindig takes place Thursday night, July 28, from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m., and could draw anywhere from 3,500 to 5,000 partiers, according to event organizers.

What began 21 years ago as a small gathering of neighborly picnickers in the Plaza, has since evolved and expanded to become one of the best attended community events of the summer.

Long an event organized by the Sonoma Community Center, the City Party is being orchestrated for the first time this year by the City itself, courtesy of Sonoma’s new Special Events Coordinator, Lisa Janson.

“This is such a unique and wonderful event,” says Janson. “(It’s) a chance for us to all come together to enjoy the community, all the citizens of Sonoma, and all the town has to offer. What better way to enjoy yourself on a summer evening than to sit with your neighbors, dance to great music, and celebrate this beautiful place we live in?”

Janson was born in Santa Rosa, and lived in Sonoma for a time in the early ‘90s, and has only recently returned to take on the event planning job for the city.

“I’m very happy to be back,” she says, “ and for the Sonoma City Party to be my first big event on the job, that just makes it feel all the more special.”

This year, Janson says the community involvement with the event has been enhanced in a number of ways, including the invitation of more local groups to sell food and beverages in a fundraising capacity. In hopes of drawing the largest crowd ever to the party - and recognizing that it takes place immediately after work for many - Janson has invited a number of food vendors, for the benefit of those who might not have time to go home and make a picnic dinner before the party.

Participating vendors this year include the Tri-Tip Trolley, the Fig Rig, Rocket Sushi, Croques and Toques, El Brinquito, Aunt Betty’s Corn Dogs, Uber Spud, Sweet Scoops, and E-Saan, with a number of sample booths including Krave Jerky. Beverages of all types will include beers and wines poured by the Native Sons of the Golden West and American Veterans (AmVets).

While many are expected to bring their own spread to the event, Janson points out that for those who want a classic “picnic basket” dinner, but are too busy too pull it together themselves, they’ll be able to pre-order a dinner through Sonoma Market or the Girl and the Fig, and to pick it up before the party.

The highlight of the party, she says, has traditionally been the live music, which this time will include four local acts. With singing handled by Chip Mallari, the band Contigo plays soul, funk, and rock. Fans of swing will have a chance to cut a rug to Halsey and the Hi-Hats, and classic rock harmonies will pop to life in the form of THC, a trio composed of Dave Hagerman, Tim Carter, and Chip Mallari.

“Then we have a great headliner in Carlos Reyes,” Janson says. “He’s a fantastic musician. My goal this year, after listening to people of Sonoma, was to make sure that there is something for everybody. There are multiple generations coming to this event, so I set out to build a lineup that would address a lot of different genres of music. The show will span almost 70 years of music, from swing to modern day sounds.”

Janson says she hopes that the annual free event is recognized for the special opportunity it is, pointing out that many communities rarely provide low- or no-cost events designed simply to let residents mingle and make friends.

“I hope when people go home, after the party,” she says, “that there is pride in their city. I hope they go home with their feet hurting from dancing, and their belly full of good food, and with a big smile on their face.”

Email David at david.templeton@sonomanews.com.

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