ALPINE'S Fiesta del Sol: June 20th - 21st, 2008

The dog days of summer are approaching and downtown Alpine merchants and others are planning a cool Fiesta del Sol June 20th - 21st to counter the heat.  More than 30 businesses and other entities are expected to take part in the solstice event, which this year features Friday evening activities, all-day Saturday observances and a Saturday evening climax event.

For the first stime, a string of businesses on South Murphy Street will be participating, along with the retail establishments and restaurants on East and West Holland Avenue and North Fifth Street.  The Seventh Annual Fiesta del Sol will feature special music, art exhibits, refrshments, sales, programs, book signing, and dancing.  Retailers will have later hours than usual - until 8 p.m. Friday until 10 p.m. Saturday. Many merchants will have all-day Saturday sales and special activities.

On Murphy the following businesses, most of them new, will participate:  Pinata's Gifts (pinatas and Mexican gifts) Murphy Street Raspa Company, J.R. Smith/Alpine Studio, El Jardin, Talgar's restaurant, Texas Fusion and Patti Hildreth Studio.

Also taking part: Bell Gallery, Bread and Breakfast Bakery & Café, Big Bend Arts Council, Catchlight Gallery, Curva Grande, Dance Tahiti, Edelweiss at the Historic Holland Hotel, Front Street Books, Ivey's Emporium, La Trattoria, Mi Tesoro, Mis-Jen's Closet, Mystic Jitanas dancers, Ocotillo Enterprises, Quetzal Art & Imports, Railroad Blues, Ringtail Records, Salon 109, TransPecos Guitars.

"Fiesta del Sol is a summer festival for our hometown customers and for special out-of town visitors, to let them know how much we appreciate them year-round," said event co-founder Jean Hardy.  "IT's a great big 'thank-your" party, she added.

Last-minute resitration forms should be picked up at Front Street Books.  Bring a check for $35 made out to the Alpine CVB/Chamber of Commerce, with "Fiesta del Sol" written on the memo line.  The fee pays for common advertising and for posters and flyers.

Out-of-area streen vendors are not encourged, but local organizations that would like to set up information table, pet adoption, small-scale fundraisers, are definitely encouraged.  For more information contact Jean Hardy at jhardy@fsbooks.com