174th Annual Wharf Birthday Party!
Monterey’s Old Fisherman’s Wharf to hold
174th Wharf Birthday Party
on Sunday, October 13, 2019
during Monterey History Fest weekend
September 2019 (Monterey, CA) – Save the Date! Fisherman's Wharf Association will sponsor and hold Monterey’s Old Fisherman’s Wharf 174th Birthday Party at historic Old Fisherman’s Wharf in Monterey, California, on Sunday, October 13, 2019. This special celebration will take place during the Monterey History Fest weekend of activities.
At a Glance:
When: Sunday, October 13, 2019 from 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. during Monterey History Fest
Where: Monterey’s Old Fisherman’s Wharf (GPS to 101 Washington Street, Monterey, CA)
What: This free family-friendly event will feature an array of fun activities:
• Live entertainment by The Money Band from 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
• Master of Ceremonies David Marzetti
• Free prize drawings
• Meet the Mayor: Meet & Greet with City of Monterey Mayor Clyde Roberson at 3:00 p.m. and he will cut the first slice of Wharf Birthday cake at 3:30 pm
• Free Wharf Birthday Cake at the Wharf Tent (front of Abalonetti Bar & Grill) at 3:30 pm
• Meet & Greets with Monterey Police and Fire Department including Fire Engine Display
• Dance Kids of Monterey County - Dance Demo from 1:45 pm – 2:00 pm
• Monterey Fire Boat Demonstrations from 2:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
• Fire Boat Tours from 3:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. (at California Dock near Big Fish Grill)
• Photo Ops with costumed Birthday Princesses
• Mermaid Stilt Walker and a Pirate Stilt Walker for photo ops
• An Amazing Giant Bubble Performer
• Two fabulous Face Painters
Seven Storm Troopers for photo ops
• Representative from Gathering for Women providing information about the non-profit organization
• Meet and Greets with four local authors: Maxine Carlson, Mike Ventimiglia, Tim Thomas and Barbara Siebeneick in front of Pirate's Cove
• Free one-hour “Wharf Walks” with Fisheries Historian Tim Thomas at 1:00 pm and 2:00 pm starting at the head of the Wharf
• Costumed marine animals roaming the Wharf
• Wharf Birthday Bites for (purchase) offered by many Wharf restaurants and other Wharf Birthday merchandise and ocean activities specials
• A commemoration of the Argentine sailor pirate Hippolyte Bouchard who raided and occupied Monterey in 1818. Come in a pirate or sailor costume and take “selfies” with pirate statues at Pirate’s Cove on the Wharf
More information: www.
About the award-winning The Money Band
The Money Band is a high-energy band, entertaining crowds of all ages! For over fifteen years, they have earned their reputation as ambassadors of top 40 hits, performing for thousands of fans all over California and beyond. Also voted many recent years as Best Band on the Monterey Peninsula in The Carmel Pine Cone, The Monterey Herald, and The Monterey County Weekly! Fronted by charismatic lead vocalist and harmonica player Zoe Alexander, The Money Band performs with a remarkable intensity and fire that garners new fans and critical acclaim.
The Money Band is accompanied with renowned and distinguished musicians, playing every style from country to funk, disco to classic rock, reggae, modern and pop, with songs from the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Elvis, Johnny Cash, Michael Jackson, Kid Rock and Bon Jovi. “It’s humbling to know that people associate our songs with some of the most meaningful moments in their lives,” says Zoe Alexander. “We now have a multigenerational fan base and everyone is sure to hear their favorites.” This dynamic and popular band assures to get your party started, with a crowded dance floor all day and night long!
Event Sponsors
Sponsors of the Wharf Birthday Celebration include Monterey State Historic Park, Monterey Herald, KSBW 8 NBC, Central Coast ABC, Estrella TV, KWAV 96.7FM, Sysco, Pepsi, and Save the Whales.
About Gathering For Women
The mission of Gathering For Women is to provide homeless women on the Monterey Peninsula supportive resources and a caring community. They provide the women we serve with hot, nutritious meals, clothing, showers, comprehensive case management support, limited emergency assistance, education to promote a woman’s health and safety, job training, access to free basic health care, and connection to other community services and providers. For more information, go to www.gatheringforwomen.org
About the Meet and Greets with Local Authors
New this year! Three local authors will be on site with meet and greets and signing their books near Pirate's Cove!
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Author Maxine Carlson, Author of Bella Sophia the Pacific Coast Mermaid
Attendees will enjoy meeting author Maxine Carlson and “Bella Sophia the Pacific Coast Mermaid" based on the book from Monterey Bay. Follow along as Bella Sophia, encouraged by a dynamic mermaid legend, blossoms with confidence and joy. This uplifting story of love and acceptance will enchant readers (and mermaids) of all ages. This book will take you on a journey of a lifetime from the Pacific Coast of Monterey Bay (iconic Cannery Row) California, the Mediterranean Island of Sicily, Italy, and to the breathtaking scenery of the magical mermaid cove of Tunisia, Africa. Hearts and imaginations are captivated in this delightful story by award winning author Maxine Carlson paired with award winning Drew McSherry's fanciful illustrations. Get ready to ignite your heart with pure delight. Recipes, book club notes and step by step directions for a 'bathtub mermaid soak' are included. Pebble Beach author, Maxine Carlson, is also the author of The Wild Buck (Book 1 of the Huckleberry Hill Adventure Series).
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Mike Ventimiglia, author of Italians of the Monterey Peninsula.
Since the early 1900s, Monterey was known for its fishing, mostly for salmon and the abalone that was plentiful in Monterey Bay. The migration of the Sicilian Italian community is credited for reaping what was called the “Silver Harvest,” the sardines of Monterey Bay. It is this author’s attempt to capture the working class that made Monterey the “Sardine Capital of the World.” The book boasts vintage images, many of which have never been published, and showcases memories of days gone by. Author Mike Ventimiglia’s family and relatives fished, worked the canneries, operated, and owned fishing boats as well as a cannery on Cannery Row. He has spent hundreds of hours researching and obtaining photographs in an effort to preserve a small part of the families who worked and fished in Monterey.
3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Author Tim Thomas, Author of The Abalone King of Monterey: ‘Pop” Ernest Doelter
Tim Thomas, fourth-generation native of the Monterey area, is a popular speaker and lively tour guide. For 16 years, he was historian and curator for the Monterey Maritime & History Museum and has worked with the Monterey Bay Aquarium, California State Parks and the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. He is author of "The Abalone King of Monterey: 'Pop' Ernest Doelter," "The Japanese on the Monterey Peninsula" and co-author of "Monterey's Waterfront." Tim also conducts monthly “Wharf Walks” on Monterey’s Old Fisherman’s Wharf, walking tours of the Lower Presidio Historic Park and offers Cannery Row walking tours, as well. Tim Thomas will bring copies of “The Abalone King of Monterey: ‘Pop” Ernest Doelter.” In 1908, "Pop" Ernest Doelter was crowned the Abalone King. In the kitchen of his Alvarado Street restaurant in Monterey, California, Pop transformed rubbery gastropods into an epicurean delight. Working with red abalone collected by Monterey's community of Japanese divers, Pop dipped the foot in egg wash, added a secret ingredient, rolled it in cracker crumbs and cooked it quickly in olive oil. Tourists and celebrities alike sat down at Pop's table to enjoy his famous recipe, and eventually, he shipped steaks on ice to hotels and restaurants throughout the state. Pull up a chair as historian Tim Thomas recounts the story of an innovative restaurateur and a group of pioneering fishermen who turned underappreciated mollusks into the talk of the 1915 San Francisco World's Fair.
4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Author Barbara Siebeneick
The Cardinal in The Crypt is Barbara Siebeneick’s first mystery novel. She grew up in the Bay Area and lives on the Monterey Peninsula of California. Barbara spends much of her time as a docent at San Carlos Cathedral. Her degree in history from UCSB instilled in her a love of history that continues until today. What better place to write a murder/mystery than the history rich city of Monterey, filled with stories of mystery, treasure, and even murder.
About Monterey’s Old Fisherman’s Wharf
Recently shown in the HBO hit TV series, Big Easy Lies, Monterey’s Old Fisherman’s Wharf is open 365 days a year including during the holidays (holiday schedule is on the events page on www.montereywharf.com). Visitors to Monterey’s Old Fisherman’s Wharf will want to plan their visit to include lunch or dinner at one of the many Wharf restaurants.
A visit to the beautiful Monterey Peninsula just isn’t complete without a rendezvous with Old Fisherman’s Wharf in downtown Monterey that was built in 1845 for regular passenger and freight service. Known as the “Monterey Bay Whale Watching Capital of the World™” and a top destination of visitors from around the world, Monterey’s Old Fisherman's Wharf provides a wide array of award-winning dining, shopping, special events, theatre, whale watching, bay cruises, a glass bottom boat, marine life, fishing and sailing, and strolling leisurely in a gorgeous setting overlooking the Monterey Bay.
Savor delicious cuisine at a myriad of fabulous restaurants featuring stunning views and award-winning Italian food, sustainable seafood, grass-fed steaks, including the region’s famous clam chowder and calamari. Enjoy salt water taffy, homemade chocolates, caramel apples, cotton candy and many other yummy treats. View sea otters, sea lions, harbor seals, dolphins, whales, sea birds and other wildlife “up close and personal” that also share the Wharf. Watch people who have gone out and caught their own fish on the local and chartered fishing boats return with their own “catch of the day”.
Celebrate the first location in Monterey County where tender abalone was cooked and served in a restaurant. Check out the many fun shops to find the perfect memento of your visit and a variety of unique gifts. Enjoy the exquisite views and the “best place to walk and people watch” in Monterey County!
Situated near downtown Monterey, Old Fisherman’s Wharf is conveniently located along the Monterey Bay Recreation Trail and has plenty of nearby parking. Anyone with Monterey County ID (939) can receive 2 hours of free parking in the Fisherman’s Wharf parking lot Monday through Thursday.
Other upcoming Monterey’s Old Fisherman’s Wharf events include Halloween on the Wharf (Oct 31), Christmas on the Wharf (1st three weekends in December, December 6-22) and the 9th Annual Whalefest Monterey (January 25-26, 2020).
For more information about Old Fisherman’s Wharf, go to www.montereywharf.com or call (831) 238-0777.