Here we discuss things that once were, and maybe someday will be, at the Solano Avenue Stroll.
Over the years, we have had may features at the Stroll that we would love to have back!
Often visitors wonder about:
- Animal Attractions
- Art Cars
- Bands, missing
- Dunk Tanks
- Mechanical (Carnival) Rides
- Parade
Here are the details:
Animal Attractions:
- This includes petting zoos, pony rides, etc. These types of attractions did not survive the 2019/2021 pandemic very well, unfortunately. There were some past challenges which included the use of animals for commercial purposes, and the impact (smell) to near-by vendors, and more. We are open to the idea of having Animal Attractions back, as of this writing.
Art Cars:
- A trend in the late 1980s through early 2000’s, Art Cars were the highlight of the Stroll parade. It was rumored that they can no longer be in the parade, when at some point a decision was made to remove gas-powered vehicles from the parade line-up. Truth be told the organizing group moved to Arizona in the early 2000’s and had still participated in the Stroll for a while, just not in the parade.
Bands, missing:
- Just because you didn’t see your favorite band this year doesn’t mean they won’t be back! If a band performs two years in a row they are asked to take a mandatory one year “break” to make space for new talent. Some exceptions include schools, dance troupes and others. Stroll Entertainment Guide (PDF).
Dunk Tanks:
- A feature from the Lions Club, it got harder and harder to provide, rotate, and dispose of (not recycle) the greywater. The water used to get replaced throughout the day and just go to nearby foliage, trees, or the nearest storm drain, which is now, not legal. The water would also have to be tested through the day, like a public pool. The simplistic days are over, which makes finding an operator, a challenge, and especially difficult for any volunteer-driven non-profit.
Mechanical (Carnival) Rides:
- They were suspended in 2022 for two primary reasons: 1) Contractors prefer extended-hour, two-day, week-long events, ours is seven hours. 2) In order to open the streets in a timely manner, they have to rush the break-down (sometimes in the dark), and this creates an unsafe atmosphere. We are always looking for reliable ride operators! A lot of them did not make it past the 2019/2021 pandemic.
The Parade:
- Since 2022, our parade morphed into a “kickoff”, moving, opening ceremony. The parade, in it’s past, took over an hour. The vendors didn’t like this “challenge to sales and communications” and the Albany Police did not like having its resources tied-up for so long. Current day challenges include school participation (marching bands, etc.) because the Stroll occurs on the second Sunday in September, the same time as the school year starts.
10/2024: This page, and it’s contents are a work in progress. Thank you for visiting.