San Clemente Fiesta Draws 50,000, Raises Funds

SAN CLEMENTE — Ross Shaw pedaled his way through the crowds, slightly unsteady on his unicycle, as his wife cleared the way for the precious cargo in the three-baby stroller Shaw was pushing down Avenida del Mar.

Pausing only to adjust the tail or matted fur ears of his Big Bad Wolf costume, Shaw caught curious glances from onlookers as he pushed three little pigs, comfortable beneath roofs of brick, straw and sticks, through the city streets.

Shaw and his daughters--4-year-old Coral and 18-month-old twins Danielle and Marissa--were part of a stroller competition where parents decorated baby buggies and paraded their children through the city’s streets during the sixth annual San Clemente Fiesta on Sunday.

The fiesta was one giant block party that included game booths, live entertainment, street performers and food from around the world. About 50,000 people attended the street fair, which raked in thousands of dollars to benefit the city’s local nonprofit organizations and charities.

“It’s a sign of the times. (These groups) have lost sponsorship and the fiesta is a great way to make money. It’s good for the community,” said Lynn Wood, an administrative assistant with the Chamber of Commerce, which organized the fair.

For Shaw, a city resident, the effort was also worth it. He was one of two winners of the stroller contest and was awarded a free trip for two to Catalina Island. Patting the unicycle, Shaw said: “I haven’t been on this thing in 15 years, and I feel it.”

The Fiesta 5000 road race kicked off the daily festivities. About 1,650 runners, walkers and strollers made their way down and back along El Camino Real, the town’s main thoroughfare.

“We’re in it for ourselves. That’s what we’re here for, to have fun,” said Eric Joseph, 44, of Laguna Hills. He and jogging buddy Jack Hutter, 49, usually race about once a month in the Orange County area, tackling courses ranging from 5 kilometers to 13 miles, Hutter said.