Patch Picks: Food, Wine, Beer, Music and Art Celebration

Expect great weather to shine on a huge bright celebration this weekend on the streets of downtown Mountain View during the .

This is a perfect opportunity for friends and families to enjoy one of the last weekends of summer together and to join the community in a of 9/11 at 11 a.m. Sunday.

The streets will be closed to vehicular traffic from El Camino Real to Evelyn Avenue and . With the huge selection of jewelry, ceramics, leather, wood, vases, footwear, clothing and more, you could start checking off your gift list for the holidays.

Be sure to remember your grandparents as National Grandparents Day, also falls on Sunday. Bring them along to share the festivities with you. Stop by the Cuda Lounge, on Castro between Evelyn Avenue and Villa Street, which will be equipped with couches and bar seating to catch your breath, relax and enjoy some tasty samples while you sit back and watch the crowds passing by.

Or swing by the Comcast Pigskin Party Lounge, at Mercy and Castro streets, to catch some live sports action—fans can watch NFL and college football on a giant LED screen—or just chill-out.

On tap will be overflowing food, drink, music and children’s entertainment.

The list of drinks is endless, as the wine-tasting panel has come up with an impressive list for your tasting pleasure as well as popular sangrias and margaritas to cool you off nicely. Mountain View's very own will pour a commemorative brew—its Highway 6 Lager—a mix of "traditional, old-world lager yeast with Nelson Sauvin hops from New Zealand."

If you have a smartphone, download the free Pago application and . There are “Early Bird Deals” if you order soon.

As you stroll down the street, stop by the different concert stages filled with rhythm and blues, classic rock 'n' roll, cool jazz, Motown soul, world-beat, Celtic folk and danceable party music. Check this schedule so you don’t miss a thing.

And just like past festivals, you’ll find yourself in "food heaven," as the offerings are plentiful and completely international—from French to Greek, to Armenian, Polish, Hawaiian, Thai, Italian, Mexican and, of course, American.

So if you have nothing else planned for this weekend and you’re looking to do something summery, fun and with family or good friends, the Mountain View Art and Wine Festival will certainly be a fulfilling event with plenty to do for everyone from young to young-at-heart.

Mountain View's 40th Annual Art and Wine Festival  

• Location: Downtown Mountain View
• Times: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday
• Cost: Free admission. Food, drinks and other items may be purchased at festival.
• Parking: Some free and paid parking is available.
• Public Transportation: VTA #22, which runs along El Camino Real, and Caltrain, which has a station at Mountain View; stop at Castro Street.
  Bicycles: Parking at St. Joseph Church parking lot at Castro and Church streets
• No Pets

More Information: Call Chamber of Commerce Mountain View at 650-968-8378.