EL SOBRANTE HISTORY CENTER
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2023 El Sobrante Stroll
This year's 28th annual incarnation of the event which took place on Sunday, September 17th from 11am to 4pm on San Pablo Dam Road—and typically brings out about 20,000 people—kicks off with a parade with marching bands and horses at 11 a.m. (starts in front of Walgreens), followed by the something-for-everyone Stroll until 4 p.m. The event is hosted by the El Sobrante Chamber of Commerce and is organized by volunteers.
On hand to enjoy that day at the Stroll will be more than 200 vendors, businesses, local food, hands-on crafts and live musical entertainment by Downtown Rhythm at Kaliente’s parking lot, as well as two shows—a Custom & Classic Car Show and also a professional BMX Bike Show hosted by The Pedaler Bike Shop at 3826 San Pablo Dam Rd.
Some history of the Stroll. The first Stroll was held in 1994, nearly three decades ago to help locally owned businesses, per Marie Carayanis, one of the organizers with the El Sobrante Chamber of Commerce. "As shopping centers popped up in El Sobrante, local merchants began to feel threatened. So, we decided we needed to do something to promote our downtown business district, which mostly was made up of mom-and-pop family businesses. It was the dream of a handful of local Chamber businesspeople whose purpose was to help acquaint our community with the services available within our own local business districts. It was a giant step for our small Chamber to undertake, but it was a means of helping our hometown small businesses survive with the new, large shopping centers threatening our existence. Attendance grew from about 1,000 in the first year to about 20,000."
If you missed the 2023 Sobrante Stroll, there's a few photos out there, including a KCRT video on youtube.
We have provided some for you here (click on each photo below).
KCRT's NewsBytes: El Sobrante Stroll 2023
El Sobrante's annual Stroll draws a crowd by Linda Hemmila
Read all about the 2023 Stroll
RichmondPulse: El Sobrante Fills San Pablo Dam Road With Fesitivites by Danielle Parenteau-Decker.
Richmond Confidential: Here’s what you’ll find at this year’s El Sobrante Stroll by Andrea Madison.
Richmond Standard: El Sobrante Stroll to return with parade, vendors and more by Kathy Chouteau.
Video clips from the 2022 El Sobrante Stroll captured by Steven James
Note: Videos are from our Facebook Page
El Sobrante Stroll still a horse town. September 18 at 5:13 PM
Uptown Funk at the stroll. September 18 at 5:59 PM
Stroll Parade Best Extinct Mammal Award Winner.
September 18 at 7:40 PM
Our first Stroll, since the pandemic hit: Sunday, September 18, 2022. It was cold, windy and rainy! But people showed up as usual, the parade went on as scheduled, and everyone had a good, soggy time!
And for all you custom car fans, there will also be a Car Show at the Stroll.
💥GRAND OPENING Update💥
The El Sobrante Library opened to the public (25% capacity) on April 26, 2021.
We opened to the public a few weeks later on May 8.
We have been open ever since, every Saturday, from 10 am to 4 pm.
The Nancy Fahden House is now completely renovated and occupied by the Friends of the Library, and the El Sobrante Historical Society.
Opening Ceremony, Rancho Line Markers
We met at 11 am on Saturday, January 26 to unveil and celebrate the installation of two interpretive exhibits showcasing the exact boundaries of the San Pablo and El Sobrante Ranchos, based on research carried on by our late President, Maurice Abraham. We gathered on the south side of San Pablo Dam Road, a block or so west of the intersection with Clark Road. After the ceremony, our new History Center was opened for those attending interested in viewing the progress we have made.
L-R: Marci Abraham, Maury's daughter; Glenna Nash, Maury's sister; and Jean Grant, Maury's wife.
L-R: Steven James; Donald Bastin; Lyle Miller; Emil Munkres
El Sobrante Library Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
We are excited about the return of the El Sobrante Library which opened before a huge crowd with a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on November 23, 2019. A devastating fire in February 2018 had prompted officials to shutter it. The damage from the fire, smoke, water and mold made it difficult and expensive to salvage any of the old library, so the building has been completely remodeled, modernized and improved. The full story can be found in our Winter 2020 Newsletter.
The new and improved El Sobrante Library
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony. From left: Donald Bastin, Acting President, ESHS; District 1 Supervisor, John Gioia; Deputy County Librarian, Gail McPartland; County Librarian Melinda Cervantes; President, Friends of El Sobrante Library, Martha Booz. [Photo courtesy of Contra Costa Library Facebook Page]
Also, the El Sobrante History Center-Museum was opened to allow visitors a quick tour and catch a glimpse of the interior. At the entrance was a display table with a fraction of the artifacts that will be at the center once it is officially opened. The official name of the building is the Nancy Fahden House.
26th annual El Sobrante Stroll
Sunday September 15, 2019
Another Stroll, come and gone
These De Anza girls livened up the late morning during the parade.
The dancing horses are always a treat.
El Sobrante has always been a town of horse lovers, and this proud horsewoman recalls the days of the Mexican ranchos.
Manning the booth at the Stroll. From left: Steve James, Treasurer, Emil Munkres, board member, Clementina Diaz, volunteer (and wife of VP Donald Bastin), and Lyle Miller, Secretary. Also present was Roxy Miraválle, whose knowledge of local history was called upon many times to answer questions from passers-by.