December 17, 2016 by Doug
La Merienda – June 3, 2017
Monterey History and Art Association’s 86th Annual La Merienda!
June 3, 2017
11:15 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Memory Garden, 20 Custom House Plaza, Monterey
(Enter La Merienda at the Memory Garden Gate near the entrance to Peter B’s.)
La Merienda! Come celebrate the City of Monterey’s 247th birthday with a very special BARBECUE BUFFET EXTRAVAGANZA, a five-star culinary experience created by the OLD FISHERMAN’S GROTTO CHEFS and the VIP Merienda Barbecue Committee, with entertainment by Mike Marotta, Jr. & special guests, mariachis, folklorico dancers, and a festive “Californio” party in the historic Memory Garden on Custom House Plaza.
Monterey’s 247th birthday celebration “La Merienda”, the City’s oldest and very significant annual event, will be held on Saturday, June 3, 2017, from 11:15 am to 3 pm in the Memory Garden on Custom House Plaza. For the past 85 years, the Monterey History & Art Association has hosted this community fiesta to commemorate the founding of the City of Monterey when in 1770 Father Junipero Serra and Captain Gaspar de Portola celebrated with a picnic overlooking the Monterey Bay.
Tickets
We are SOLD OUT!
Barbecue Buffet Extravaganza!
Old Fisherman’s Grotto Chefs and the VIP Merienda Barbecue Committee will create a five-star culinary experience featuring Certified Angus Beef New York steak, BBQ chicken breast, mild Italian sausage, salmon, sauteed scampi shrimp, complemented by 3 salad choices: mixed greens, pasta, and fruit salad, fire roasted sweet corn, fresh-made chili beans, fresh grilled garlic bread, fresh-made salsa and more. Included with the meal are complimentary wine, beer, coffee, tea and soft drinks. The mouth-watering feast is followed by the traditional outstanding dessert, a beautiful multi-layered birthday cake from Layers Bakery donated by Tina Del Piero and Lynn Tomlinson and decorated with fresh roses by Jackie Craghead.
This festive event includes Master of Ceremony David Marzetti, entertainment by musicians including Accordian player extraordinaire Mike Marotta, Jr. & special guests, mariachis, and folklorico dancers, gallant dons and donas, and lovely senoritas. The barbecue committee headed by Chris Shake is composed of local elected officials and well-known community members that prepare and serve the food at this event. There will also be a Silent Auction and 50/50 drawing. All guests are welcome to dress in 18th century costume (optional).
La Merienda Barbecue Committee
The La Merienda Barbecue is always served by well-known community members. In past years, La Merienda Barbecue servers have included Peter Coniglio, who coordinated this part of the event in the past for over 40 years, with Chris Shake taking it on in 2015. Honorable Leon Panetta, former Secretary of Defense and Director of CIA, Congressman Jimmy Panetta, State Senator Bill Monning, California State Assemblymember Mark Stone, Councilman Dan Albert, former Mayor Dan Albert, Dan Baldwin, Mike Bruno, Ted Balestreri, Sr., Teddy Balestreri, Marc and Eric DelPiero, Jay Hudson, George Kodama, Nino Palma, John Narigi, Carmelo Tringali, Bert Cutino, Bart Cutino, Jim Davi, Jeff Krebs, Rolf Trautsch, Dr. Darnel Whitt, Sam Phillips, Sabu Shake, Jr., Chris Panetta, Kenny Gordon, Gaspar Cardinale, Richard Crowell, Tony Leyva, Bob Masarro, Richard Pepe, Santo Tarantino, Lynn Tomlinson, Tina del Piero, Al Nicora and John Lotz compose some of the barbecue team in the recent past. The final confirmed 2017 La Merienda crew will be determined closer to the event date!
Community Members are invited to Host a Party Within the Party!
La Merienda can be described as a “party within a party” with uniquely decorated hosted tables. Attendees invite friends, don a costume, decorate a table, and have fun at this festive event! Local companies are encouraged to purchase a table for their staff or special customers. Or, just come for the celebration, join a table and make some new friends. Meet elected officials, military leaders, and local dignitaries at this not-to-be-missed annual event! This outstanding party attracts over 500 people each year. Monterey History & Art Association (MHAA) has hosted this party for the last 85 years and all proceeds go towards supporting Monterey’s history and arts programs. For further information, call (831) 372-2311 or email lamerienda86@gmail.com.
Parking
With the purchase of a ticket, FREE PARKING will be available in the City of Monterey’s WEST GARAGE parking lot on Franklin Street behind the Wells Fargo Bank. Your free parking pass will be given to you upon check in at the Memory Garden Gate as you enter La Merienda. Additional paid parking is available in the Waterfront parking lot adjacent to Monterey’s Old Fisherman’s Wharf or in the parking lot on Scott Street above Pacific Street.
Sponsor La Merienda!
Companies can become a sponsor for $750 and receive sponsor recognition. Our current valued sponsors are Monterey County Bank, 1st Capital Bank, Rabobank, Fenton and Keller, Anthony Lombardo & Associates, Cannery Row Company, Mahoney & Associates, Mission Linen and Monterey Bay Restaurant Equipment and the media sponsors are KSBW TV, 90.3 FM KAZU Radio and The Monterey Herald.
La Merienda sponsorships, donations and other services help to defray the cost of this unique not-to-be-missed Monterey celebration. All proceeds above the cost of the Merienda itself go to Monterey History & Art Association’s support and maintenance of Casa Serrano, the Doud House and the Mayo Hayes O’Donnell Library. To become a MHAA member, sponsor or donor, please call Larry Chavez, President of the Monterey History & Art Association, at (831) 869-1664 or email oldmanlsc@gmail.com.