Free cheese, olive oil, pie and candy tastings will come to the Sandcastle Inn at 6 p.m. every Friday this summer beginning May 27. While tasting food products from San Luis Obispo County, participants will have the opportunity to enjoy the works of local artists and conclude the festivities with a professional chair massage.
With the event in its third year, many local businesses planto place a booth near the sand of Pismo Beach for the event.
Eva Castro, the event organizer and owner of A Vital Touch Massage in Shell Beach, said they wanted to have a weekly event that would support local businesses.
The main events will be held by the Sandcastle Inn, located on the shoreline.
“The goal is to highlight and showcase the businesses of Pismo Beach,” said Roger Whiteman, the general manager of the Sandcastle Inn.
Summer Happenings started in 2009 as a way to promote Pismo Beach businesses for the guests of the Inn.
“I noticed people were staying in my hotel and not really doing anything,” Whiteman said. “We have only ever done this event for guests of the hotel, not the general public.”
The public will now have the opportunity to shop for paintings, novels, handmade jewelry and other crafts, while meeting San Luis Obispo County’s most talented artists, jewelers and authors in person.
With the addition of public participation, Whiteman said this year marks a shift in focus for the event, including showcasing a wider variety of local foods.
“We’ve done wine tasting in the past,” Whiteman said. “But we’re gonna change it up a bit this year and focus on food.”
One of the new additions to the event includes pie tasting provided by Marie Callender’s restaurant in Pismo Beach.
Food tasting booths will have the opportunity to sell their products at the event, most at discounted prices.
In an attempt to make the event affordable for everybody, Castro said all paintings will cost less than $100, and the food tasting will be free.
There are no costs associated with the event; it is free for the public.
“There is no funding,” Castro said. “But we use the beautiful lobby of the Sandcastle.”
Throughout the summer months, the event will feature eight different artists and five different jewelers who will sell and display their works.
One of the artists who will showcase art at the event, Colleen Gnos, said she hopes to connect with members of the art community in addition to showcasing her work.
“I think it’s really nice to get together with other artists in the area,” she said. “I like the fact that there’s actually something going on in Pismo.”
Author Gordon Snider, who taught business classes at Cal Poly from 2001 to 2006, will feature his first published fiction book, “Sigourney’s Quest,” at the event.
Local olive oil company, We Olive, will demonstrate and sample oils for purchase later in the summer. Owner Ray Russell said he will sample four oils and some balsamic vinegars.
Pedicine Estate, a local Central Coast olive oil company will showcase its products, giving tourists the opportunity to experience the flavors of the coast.
Castro herself will provide some of the chair massages at $5 for 10 minutes.
“I love seeing the faces on people after they’ve gotten their massage,” she said. “They’re just so happy and relaxed.”
Nourish, a new San Luis Obispo company, will showcase their edible SkinFood products.
The locally-owned and operated small business features handmade, fully organic and edible skincare.
“It’s a great venue at Pismo Beach,” Castro said. “When the sun’s out, everyone seems to be in a better mood.”