SHARE: Los Altos Anniversary Bash on State Street

State Street in Los Altos looked a little bit different Saturday evening.

For the first time in history, a family event closed down one of downtown Los Altos' primary thoroughfares—and they got to party and picnic in the middle of the street, to boot.

"People can sit on it," said Brooke Ray Smith of Passerelle Investments about the artificial grass laid between Second and Third streets on Saturday. "People sit on asphalt during the movie nights with blankets. This is more fun."

And fun it was, indeed.

Hundreds of adults and children stopped by for "Groove on the State Street Green" to celebrate Los Altos' 60th anniversary and wish the city a happy birthday. Passerelle executed the event, but planned it in collaboration with the 60th Anniversary of Incorporation Planning Committee.

Lending to the playground feel of State Street were bright and colorful lawn chairs and tables and over-sized blue foam pegs, which the kids used to build forts or clobber one another. A pumpkin-orange bike rack near Third Street accomodated adult bikes and bikes with training wheels still on them. White mushroom-shaped lamps stood almost six feet tall and lined the curb, and above little yellow lights criss-crossed over the attendees.

"I'm enjoying the music," said Clay Schlucter, who sat with his 2-year-old son who ate an ice cream cone. He's the husband of Councilwoman Megan Satterlee.

"It's a great event with a great turnout. The kids love it and even the adults who are dancing," said Satterlee. "Great to see that the businesses stayed open and are taking advantage of it. I can't remember them ever shutting down State Street."

The businesses, in particular the food-establishments, did seem to benefit from the extra foot traffic from the event. A line grew outside of Baskin Robbins, take-out containers were sprinkled on plaid blankets and Peet's Coffee brought out free samples.

Google co-founder Sergey Brin also enjoyed some take-out on his blanket with his family. Wearing his Google Glasses he played barfeoot with his children. Brin lives in Los Altos Hills and according to reports, is a backer of Passerelle Investments.

As part of the continuing celebratory events for Los Altos' 60th anniversary, earlier Saturday Gary Hedden led cyclists through a historic 12-mile bike tour of Los Altos he designed, through old farm houses and the impressive backyard gardens of some of the big estates, he told Patch. Abigail Ahrens was tapped to lead "hidden history" walking tour of the downtown on Sunday, dressed in period clothing, as were docents who were assigned to tell their story about Los Altos back in time.

And it wasn't just Los Altans who were attracted to these events. Albina Patou came from Sunnyvale with her husband and 20-month-old baby, after she found out about the event by email.

"I like the turf," she said about the pop-up park in the middle of the street. "It's good and family-friendly." 

One of the event coordinators looked relieved at the success and the joy on people's faces.

"It's awesome," said Joan Zhao. "We should do this more often."

Did you take pictures while you were there? Upload them here and tell us what you like the most.