On Saturday, August 11, Market Street came alive with colorful floats and spirited contingents, signaling the start of Pistahan, a celebration of Filipino art, music and dance.

Now in it’s 19^th year, Pistahan began as a small community celebration organized by a tight-knit group with big dreams. With SF Entertainment Commissioner Al Perez at the helm, the event has since evolved into a massive two-day festival featuring a 100+ contingent parade stretching one and a half miles, seven pavilions set over 5.5 acres, two entertainment stages featuring world-class artists and performers, with 20 separate committees and 300+ volunteers.

The festival boasts an audience of 70,000, with attendees, performers and sponsors flying in from all over the world, and events like Kulinarya cooking competition, Adobo Cook-off and Balut-Eating Contest taking a life of their own.

A staple of the Yerba Buena Gardens Festival Series, which takes place from May through October, Pistahan joins other San Francisco cultural traditions like the Chinese New year’s Parade, Carnaval, and Cinco de Mayo.

Froomz VP of Marketing & Biz Dev, Christina Dunham, was a member of the first planning committee in 1994, and continues to participate as part of the Pistahan Dream Team. Planning is now underway for the 20th Pistahan Parade & Festival in 2013. To volunteer or for more information, visit Pistahan’s website.

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