PQ Fiesta

This is the first year I’ve gone to the PQ Fiesta and it certainly didn’t disappoint. What was special about this year is that it’s the first year that there was a street parade. The first year obviously has it’s hitches, but for the most part, everything ran smoothly. The parade started at Mt. Carmel High School and went for a mile, ending by the shopping Vons/​Rite Aid shopping center. The traffic in the area was horrible, but SDPD did it’s best to maneuver and direct cars accordingly. Definitely the potential to have more participants in next years parade. I walked with my fiancée’s group in the parade representing Councilmember Cate. We waved and handing out lollipops and info on city information to onlookers of the parade. Very well received. The parade was 1 mile long and we walked the route. It was cool seeing all the PQ residents come out and support!
At the end we walked through the booths, and surprisingly the there were over 100+ booths to look. My fiancée had a booth by the stage so we hung out there before the program at the stage started. Volunteer organizations and kids got awards for their outstanding community service. So cool they all got recognized on stage for their community contributions.
Tons of booth with food, community organizations, rides, info booths — all worthwhile to come and visit this fiesta. I can only imagine it’ll only get bigger!
Kudos PQ for having a great event!

We like going to the fiesta since it’s so close to the house. The rules and heights for the ride is really inconsistent so it’s hard to know when they will let my younger kid on rides which makes it really difficult and we have had tantrums over it. Usually they will let her on if it’s not busy. When we come back later and it’s busier, they won’t let her on… Pretty annoying. It also seems to have gotten smaller over the years. Less booths, activities, etc… We still like to go for at least an hour or 2 to support the community.

I’m completely biased being that I live in PQ. We tried Mexican food from Frida’s Cocina food truck and was absolutely impressed! Fish burrito was awesome and so were their carne asAda tacos. We plan to follow them on social media networks so that we can hit up their next stop, that way we don’t have to wait an entire year to have their food again! A different vendor has The roasted corn on the cob for $ 3 and is a must try. Be sure to put Parmesan cheese and hot sauce! Another vendor has kettle corn that is $ 6 for a large bag and it is absolutely addicting! Just the perfect amount of sweet and the kernels are huge! They also had African food that was pretty good. We had the BBQ chicken and it was moist and flaVorful. I got to walk my dog and stopped at Kahoots and got a bunch of samples. I also got to meet a lady name Kate that does dog sitting and walking, just what I am looking for! Overall, the festival is loaded with plenty of good food and vendors. Looking forward to next year!

By no means is the the best street fair out there but for the price (free), another reason for my kids to hang out with their friends and an opportunity for me to hang out with my friends at the local pub (as if I’ve ever needed an excuse). Regardless, it is a nice way to spend a couple of hours each year.
The fair itself seems to be geared more towards the very young or the adults. Rides for the young ones and various booths selling this and that for the adults. There is not a lot to do for the teenage crowd but if they are with their friends, they always tend to find something.
Plenty of food venders to choose from and it seems as though there were more this year than in years past.
The fair is located in the street in front of the local shopping center. Parking can be a hsassle as the lot fills up quickly on a normal day let alone on the day of the Fiesta.
Is it really worth 4 stars? Given the fact that it is in my community and I’m somehwat bias I’d say yes. If I didn’t live here, I’d probably give it a solid 3 stars, so location and familiarity gives it the benefit of the doubt.

It’s okay as street fairs go. It used to be better. Seems like more food choices and food trucks are here taking up the vendors spaces. Was looking for some shirt vendors but not a one this year. Try out the Carlsbad Village Faire. It’s one of the biggest and best!