Aromas Day on Sunday, Aug. 28, when it was breezy in the shade and hot in the sun, brought out hundreds of people to the main street of Carpenteria and Blohm Avenue.
“This is the biggest crowd we have had, I believe,” event coordinator Jan Saxton said. She was directing the event by shuttling back through the crowd, keeping everything running smoothly and readying the street for the parade.
“What I love the most about Aromas Day is it’s so relaxed, laid back, and friendly,” added Saxton.
This is Saxton’s second year heading up the team. She came to Aromas from Carmel Valley with four sons a few years ago.
Two of her sons were helping during the event. One was a shuttle driver and the other worked at the kids’ entertainment area.
Many volunteers work on the community event, and the proceeds that come from vendors, sponsors and donors go to benefit local nonprofit agencies.
Vendors ranged from a booth of chiropractors giving free massages from the Castroville Chiropractic Clinic, to antique sales, and quilts and other arts from the Aromas Hills Artisans – with Louise Coombs, Barbara Scoles, Michelle Nobel McCline, Sandra Braga and Mike Martin.
Other vendor booths included jewelry, soaps, honey, and other goods, along with social service information booths.
The history of Aromas Day was gleaned from Laurie Goodman and continued on with the words from Wayne Norton, a board member of the Aromas Water District board of directors.
The Aromas Service Club organized the event a few decades ago, but the insurance became so expensive, the club couldn’t afford it and it stopped its sponsorship.
Norton said that when he moved to Aromas in 1985, the event was already established, but then it folded. After its demise, the Eagles, a fraternal organization, took it over, and it continues to this day.
A parade added to the festivities, which one would expect in a small town, complete with a high school marching band, Boy Scouts, 4H-ers, a dog herding a few sheep, old and new cars, and so much more.
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