Solano Stroll Comes Sept. 9: Details (and Poll) Here

Merchants and residents along the avenue are gearing up for the 2012 Solano Avenue Stroll, to be held Sept. 9 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

(Albany Patch is a Stroll sponsor.)

This "mile-long block party" will celebrate its 38th year in Albany and Berkeley with the theme "Step into the Future."

The theme, said Executive Director Allen Cain, "represents the new horizon in front of us and how the world has changed because of exponential advances in technology."

A free shuttle will be available on Marin Avenue and to the event from the North Berkeley BART station. 

Says the : "The fun begins at 10 am with the opening of Solano Avenue businesses and Stroll booths and the kick-off is the theme parade with about 100 groups. After the parade, you can visit one of 50 entertainers, 50 food booths, 150 juried arts and crafters, state of the art mechanical rides, and 150 community non-profit and government organizations, not to mention the unique and popular professional services, restaurants, and shops already here on Solano Avenue."

A range of cuisines will be available to revelers, from Armenian to Chinese, Italian to Vietnamese, Mexican, Mediterranean, Mongolian, French, Indian, barbecue and vegan.

Features this year include a special area for children with giant slides, carnival games "and maybe even wizards and elves"; on the east side of Solano, visitors can check out the Green Zone to find "tips about simple changes you can make at your home or business to reduce global warming, displays of green technology."

The event is alcohol- and tobacco-free. Learn more about the shuttles; free bike valet parking; public transportation options; and much more on the Solano Avenue Association website.

Read more about the Stroll on Albany Patch here. See the ; we had more than 300 submissions from community members. Stay tuned for details about this year's photo scavenger hunt.