Webster Street Jam

More than 30,000 people are expected to jam Webster Street for the 7th annual Webster Street Jam from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Saturday, September 13, and from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sunday, September 14, in the heart of historic West Alameda on Webster Street between Central and Lincoln Avenues. The two-day music, food, wine and art festival also includes a special event with the Unauthorized Rolling Stones live in concert from 5:45 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Saturday, September 13.

Kathy Moehring, Executive Director of the West Alameda Business Association, which is coordinating the event, says, “People have been asking us why we are no longer calling it the Peanut Butter Jam, That name was created to honor the founding of Skippy Peanut Butter here in 1932 and its manufacture on Webster Street until 1974. Skippy has since been absorbed by a conglomerate that is no longer interested in providing the peanut butter products and memorabilia that gave the event its name. A Peanut Butter Jam without peanut butter just didn’t make any sense to us. As disappointing as this was, it also freed us up to focus the event more on Webster Street’s future than its past. After half a century in the shadow of the Alameda Naval Air Station, Webster Street is undergoing a major renaissance with new businesses moving into newly constructed buildings and many historically significant buildings receiving facelifts. The Webster Street Jam will stay true to its local roots. It’s not going to be a cookie cutter event with all the same booths you see at other street fairs. All the arts and crafts on sale will be handcrafted by 40 talented area artisans and the food will be from 14 local restaurants and vendors. Locally-produced Drakes’ Beer and Rosenblum Cellars wine will be the only spirits sold at the beverage centers. Even the bands are local, and the music is nothing if not eclectic.” Among the 18 musical groups playing continuously from two stages are Alameda’s own Finish Ticket, Meshugga Beach Party, Snakes in Eden and troubadour Earl John Rivard. Rhythmix Cultural Center will showcase a group of young people doing Brazilian dances and Hank Hooper performs music for children both days.

Bladium Sports Club will have a special area for kids activities and Bike Alameda will provide free, secure valet bicycle parking.

“It’s more of a street party than a street fair, It’s a chance for everyone to celebrate the end of summer with friends and neighbors and see what’s new on Webster Street. It’s going to be a blast!”, says Moehring.