Largest arts and crafts street festival on the Central Coast kicks off

This weekend about 50,000 people will take over nine city blocks in Pacific Grove to celebrate the 60th annual Good Old Days.

“It’s good to see the community together,” said Pacific Grove resident JB Williams. “You really see everybody come out and supports it.”

What started as the ladies of Pacific Grove getting together to exchange recipes and food has grown into the biggest arts and crafts street festival on the Central Coast attracting people from all over the country.

“My favorite part of the Good Old Days is the rides of course,” Said Isabella Williams of Pacific Grove.

More than 200 vendors from 12 different states are selling everything from food to arts and crafts that you can’t find at the local store.

“Pacific Grove really was the foundation of arts on the peninsula,” said Artisana Gallery owner Adrianne Jonson . “There were artist studios all over Pacific Grove in the late 50’s and early 60’s and well into the mid 70’s.”

There’s also live entertainment on multiple stages that gets the crowd involved.

“It’s a great opportunity for the community to see what we’re doing on the Central Coast and the talent that we have,” said Wilfredo Prudencio of Monterey.

The Pacific Grove Chamber said the thousands of visitors means a huge economic impact.

“Most of the hotels are full this weekend and a lot of the people will end up returning with their families,” said Pacific Grove Chamber President Moe Ammar . “I know that people have bought a house, people who came here to visit for the Good Old Days, and they ended up loving it so much that they decided to live here.”

Broker J.R. Rouse actually set up an open house at Good Old Days to capture some of those potential clients.

“Houses that are coming on the market, if they’re priced right they’re selling within days,” said Rouse. “It’s a really great time to be selling.”

“The event will continue again Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.