COVID-19: Social distancing is not enforced at this event. Some of the staff wears a mask. All…read morevisitors are not expected to wear a mask. It's optional now. There are some hand sanitizers available for visitors to use. This place is open and available with no limited capacity. They are not sanitizing in between visitors. I mention these things in my reviews for the sake of protecting immunocompromised people like the elderly and people sick with cancer and other illnesses. COVID-19 Vaccination Proof: This event currently does not require proof of vaccination. While I was here several months ago, I asked if they had any special offers and they weren't offering any at the moment. They also do not allow pets in their event UNLESS it's a service animal. Parking: The parking lot for this establishment is pretty massive. When you enter the grounds, turn left. There you will be directed to pay for parking ($15 for regular cars - general parking, $30 for VIP parking, $23 for RVs and limos, and $38 for buses) and where to park. As mentioned by my excellent buddy, Justin, parking for handicapped individuals freaking suck. Whoever organized this event sucks. Handicapped parking is in lot 3, which is hella far away from the event. You would think it would be much closer to the event, but noooooo. Some idiot organized it to be like this. Why?!?! Please make the entrance closer to the handicapped parking lot in the future. That would make a lot of sense. They take cash and credit cards. Event: The festival offers immersive 14 - 17 century Elizabethan-era entertainment, jousting tournaments, artisanal shopping, and medieval food like turkey legs. The event itself was very fun and entertaining. I had a great time with my close friend. I highly encourage anyone who attends to dress up. If you don't, you will stick out like a very sore and ugly thumb. If you do dress up, costume weapons must be sheathed and peace tied. Also, wear comfy shoes. There is soooooo much walking. It's also hella dusty at this event, which is lowkey on point with ye - old England. To add on, when Justin and I attended this event in mid May, the weather was soooo on point because it was gloomy and overcast. This is exactly how I imagined old timey England during the renaissance. You can absolutely bring food and drinks into the event, but they cannot be picnic food, food that requires heating or refrigeration, alcohol, anything in glass containers, and coolers. You can bring water, but it cannot be opened yet. Or you can bring an empty reusable water bottle for it to be filled up at the event. There are plenty of bathrooms (porta potties and hand washing stations) at this event. Note: While at the event, we didn't see any refillable water bottle stations. Where were they hiding? Food: My bestie and I got the tri tip sandwich and french fries. Honestly, coming into this event, I already knew that the food was gonna be mid. Lmao I had low expectations for the food because I wasn't really there for the food. Plus, I guess this was also kinda lowkey on point with the renaissance era in England because food in that time period was also mid. Lol I was primarily there for the medieval vibes and jousting, which delivered in spades. I would honestly go every year just for the medieval vibes and jousting. Screw the food there. Anyways, the tri tip sandwich was overly priced with a meager amount of meat in the sandwich in a sad ass hot dog bun. It was more of a sad- wich. This is why I removed one star. Flavor wise, it was okay. My friend knows that I'm not the biggest fan of anything BBQ, but I'll eat it anyways. The fries that we got were plentiful for the price point and it was very crunchy. I was disappointed when it wasn't really salted, which made it taste bland TBH. I should also note that the tri tip sandwich and fries were cold by the time we sat down and ate them because we spent like 10 - 15 minutes walking around and finding a place to eat. Don't be like us. Eat your food while it's hot. Staff: The staff here are very friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful. They accept both cash and credit cards. There is no credit card minimum. Still, cash is king at this event. Many vendors only take cash, so bring at least $100 per person.

One of my favorite places to go! Came on a day where the weather was nice and got a good spot for…read moreall the shows. The event is rain or shine, so bring sunscreen and umbrellas. The only thing I wish would improve is bringing back more craftsmen. A lot of jewelry vendors do drop shipping now, so if you're looking for one of a kind or good jewelry, you have to watch out and be careful.

An annual free event put up by the church, the Lights display and show is a family friendly, safe…read moreChristmas event on top of a hill where the church resides. Visitors are greeted by colorful and festive lights as soon as they approach the entrance. There's plenty of security, some armed that watch over the crowd. Staff in yellow jackets will direct visitors. Overall, it's pretty well organized and a friendly group. The main attraction is the light show that takes place every 1/2 hour. This year (2019) the story was about Jesus accompanied by music and synchronized light show. It's pretty good. Next to the light show is set up like a little village. One tent allows kids to do crafts. Others have hot cider or cocoa. Members are dressed in biblical characters and offer to tell stories of God. There's also a sign that points to the Cafe. It's essentially a carnival style trailer that sells drinks and snacks with a limited menu. This year, there are also tables set up that sold everything from cupcakes to skewers. We tried their chicken and bbq pork skewers, and they were all good at an amazing price. Sadly, I overheard someone say this is their last year. There are donation boxes placed throughout, as well as garbage bins. So be generous and responsible, make a nice donation and don't litter. There are even staff members that bring photo lights and offer to help you take family pictures. The Lights on Miracle Hill is a great way to spend an evening if you're not driving too far. Need to know: You'll need to park in the surrounding neighborhood. There is no public parking lot. There are no valets. You'll just have to drive around and look for a spot. You may get lucky, or if you aren't lazy, go farther than where others aren't willing to go. Homeowners's driveways are marked by cones. So obey them and don't block anyone's path. Even though they have heat lamps, dress warm See my photos!

FREE FREE! Had this Christmas light show bookmarked for the longest and finally made it out today…read more Winter wonderland is how I would describe it. The show starts 10 minutes from the actual time they announce online. Giving people who are running late, some leeway. The music, songs and the church itself is breathtaking. If you come early enough, you can grab a seat, otherwise your standing but honestly there are no bad seats/standing area. At the end of the show, there are volunteers that will take pics for you & even hold hand held lights up to give you the perfect selfie/pic. It does get packed, so come early to find parking. Also, reserve free tickets online 1st, there were two lines, one with tickets, one without, the one without was long. They also sell food, balloon lights, drinks, hot chocolate and areas for kid activities. Can't wait to come back next year and make this a yearly tradition. P.S. also, a lot of the homes put cones on the sidewalks to block people from parking right in front of their house. They can't do that, its public right of way, so just move the cone and park.

Service was excellent all rides were set up for our event. Every detail was attended to in a nice…read moreand professional manner. Mike at CM Amusement made the event planning so easy. Our event was a success!

From the owner: Your next event will be loads of fun with party rentals from CM Amusement of California. We…read morespecialize in festival and carnival rides. We have a wide assortment of rides including Ferris Wheels, Merry-Go-Rounds, Slide, Sizzler, Zipper, Roller Coaster and much more. We specialize in church carnivals, street festivals, nonprofit organizations, movie shoots, TV commercials, company picnics and much more for your festival needs.

Visitation Rights: Have been coming to this place many times to either study, enjoy a couple of…read morecoffee, eat, and people watch. Locaton: Old Town Monrovia is centered around Myrtle Avenue, extending roughly from Foothill Boulevard (Route 66) north to Olive Avenue south, and from Ivy Avenue east to Primrose Avenue west, encompassing about ten blocks The area's heart is Myrtle Avenue, where you'll find many of its key businesses, with Foothill (Route 66) as a major north-south boundary. Parking: Located between Foothill Blvd and Parking can be found along Myrtle Ave, in nearby public parking lots parking structures, and in the residential. FREE PARKING! You can also park in the shared parking lot on the SW corner of Foothill and Myrtle. Just walk down Myrtle Ave.. Ambiance/Decor: You'll find a relaxed, sophisticated atmosphere perfect for browsing, dining, enjoying coffee, catching a movie, or just strolling, with close proximity to hiking trails in the nearby foothills. You can also find a statue Samson the Hot Tub Bear Festivities For All Of Us: They have a lot of activities for the locals and out of towners through out the year. -Friday Night Street Fair & Market -Valentine's Day Carriage Rides -Spring Egg Hunt & Healthy Kids Day -Monrovia Old Town Wine Walk -Monrovia Days Community Festival -4th of July Fireworks Show & Concert -Summer Concerts & Movies in the Park -Fountain to the Falls Run/Walk 10K -Old Town Fall Festival -Halloween Spooktacular and Trick-or-Treat Bash -Thankful & Grateful Holiday Gathering -Holiday Parade -Holiday Home Decorating Contest -Santa Tours If you want more info, you can visit the city's website: https://www.monroviaca.gov/your-government/recreation/special-events#ad-image-0 Business/Shops: In old town Monrovia, you'll see a blend of mom and pop shops and restaurants. The shops that I've patronize through out the years are: Merengue, El Diablo, Grey and Cash, Jake's Roadhouse, Mikomi, Tacos and Papas, and Charlie's House. Old Town For Thought: If you want a quick getaway from reality, this town is for you.

Monrovia is a beautiful hillside town located in the San Gabriel Valley. On occasion I visit and on…read morea recent Friday evening I was surprised to find that the town has a large night market with local vendors, entertainment, shops, and artists offering handmade goods. A must visit! Peaceful, quaint environment with a small town vibe, and California appeal.

Had such a great time at the Monrovia Night Market tonight. Between the authentic hummus, smooth…read morecitrus wine, fresh farm eggs, and perfectly sweet strawberries, every booth felt like a hidden gem. Amazing atmosphere, friendly vendors, and such a fun night with family ! Brothers Products hummus ! OMG 10/10 "the kitchen sink " did not disappoint incredible. Dancing Crow wine is always a must when I go .

The farmers market in Monrovia has always been a nice place to hangout on Friday. It gets pretty…read morelively at night and the food selection is pretty good. Parking is easy with street parking and some structure parking nearby. Overall great place to walk and buy goods.

My coworker told me this was the festival he'd often visit for their overall size and offerings…read more This must have been years ago, since this festival felt smaller than the Pasadena one several weeks prior. Admission through the gates was $5, though on Saturday around 6pm they were already out of receipt paper for card transactions. Parking was free and plentiful across the street. My friend and I had the "skip lunch to have a more fulfilled dinner" mentality going into this. Some of the items we went for included moussaka, pastitsio, pork souvlaki, lamb chop, loukaniko, grilled potatoes, and Greek fries. As I've mentioned in the past, you really can't go wrong with moussaka, and this time was no exception. Conversely, the lamb chop was small and dry, though everything combined made for a hearty meal. For pastries, we got diples, pasta flora, and a custard filled one that I forgot, all of which satisfied my sweet tooth. My friend also decided on getting loukoumades which added to our blood sugar levels. The folks taking the food orders and serving food went out of their ways to make recommendations as well as just chat about their day which I really appreciated. Also, whoever was singing and playing the guitar on stage did an amazing job and really got the crowd going.

every year fun dancing the food you want to travel. the Mediterranean Greek isles. it's all in…read moregavina. fantastic fun time! opa

This is my first time coming here and I read that they changed from drive thru to walkable event. I…read morecan say there are a lot of picture moments here and was more enjoyable than many of the other light events that I've been too this year. Prices are cheaper at 25 dollars online and can easily spend an hour or two here. They blast festive music that really created a nice atmosphere. For the price I'd actually say this was worth the time and price to grab some good pictures. You can take pictures with Santa Claus for $20 for three minutes of unlimited photos. Not really worth it but kinda thought it was funny haha. Parking is easily findable using the Irwindale Speedway address and everything was pretty straight forward. Come check this out with the family!

Such a cute Christmas family activity. Very covid friendly as it is a drive thru event. There are…read morealso pit stops where you can purchase snacks and Hot Cocoa to enjoy in the car in the middle of the drive. I went on a Monday night and there were a decent amount of cars but it still took us about ~40 minutes to go through with breaks to admire the lights!

What else can I add to what Grace C. has already extolled about this event? :)…read more It was my first time to A Taste of Old Town Monrovia, after hearing my boyfriend rave about all the deliciousness of years past. Thus, expectations duly raised, I went into the event with high hopes and an empty stomach. I was not disappointed. There were fifty booths this year, representing many a palate. From hotel cuisine to soul food, there was a stand to satisfy one's appetite. Did I go back to Paradis Gelato's stands twice? Maaaaaybe. ;) Thanks to this event, I had the opportunity to sample foods from many different eateries. Jake's Roadhouse, Sena on Myrtle, and Bottega della Sera were particular faves for me. There are many other places that I look forward to visiting. The live music was wonderful, everyone was friendly, and the overall atmosphere was just lovely. I really like the palette-like trays they gave us (there's a slot for holding your wine glass, too!). The Kiwanis Club did an excellent job organizing this wonderful event! Totally brings me back to my days of volunteering with Key Club in high school :) Thank you again! I look forward to returning next year.

My first time ever at this 6th annual event organized by Monrovia Kiwanis! I've been meaning to…read moreattend one of these Taste of Old Town Monrovia events ever since I moved to Monrovia 3 years ago, but something always came up during my October weekends and I would have to skip out. Finally, this year, everything fell into place and at 5 pm on Sunday, with my pre-bought ticket in hand (you save $10 not buying at the door!), I was ready to taste and drink my way through the main street on Monrovia on Myrtle Ave with the over 50+ vendors from Monrovia and the surrounding areas. The entire street of Myrtle is blocked off from Lime to Colorado. Upon check-in (and checking your ID to make sure you're over 21), you're handed a reusable tote bag with a wine glass and reusable food tray (with handy slot to house your wine glass). The tote bag is great in holding coupons and menus and business cards handed out by the various vendors. Some vendors have storefronts right here on Myrtle while others are in nearby cities (like Duarte, Azusa or Pasadena) or can provide catering and private orders! You definitely will not go home hungry! A tip learned from this trip is that it may be worthwhile to do a walk through first to see what's out there and pick what piques your interest. Otherwise you'll be full before you hit the halfway point! Plenty of food and availability to go back for seconds on your favorites! The lines were very reasonable, with the max being maybe 4 people ahead of you in line. The BF and I tried plenty of sweets (cupcakes, bundt cakes, ice cream!), BBQ foods, Mexican food, comfort food, and so much more! Plenty of alcohol flowing here too! I love that everything is included in the ticket price so you don't even have to bring your wallet if you don't plan to bar hop afterwards! Other than the food, there's a live band (Time Bomb) providing some great tunes through out the night, in front of an area set up for dancing to work off the food. A photo booth was nearby as well to capture your picture pre or post food coma. I have to give major props to the Kiwanis Club of Monrovia for such a well run event. Tickets could be purchased online (with a small convenience fee) or at a couple of different Monrovia merchants in person (cash or check only). The day of the event, checking in ran super smooth and the Kiwanians were all over the event -- making sure trash cans weren't overflowing, providing bottled water at their booths, and making sure everyone was having a great time! If I wasn't already a member of another Kiwanis club, this event would motivate me to join their club! And of course, the proceeds of the tickets all go towards benefiting the youth programs they organize in the community. What a win-win situation -- the kids supported by Kiwanis wins and my tummy wins in trying out so much variety of food! Of course, I have to comment that I had no problems finding parking as well. There are plenty of street parking and spots at the various free public parking lots next to Myrtle Avenue. Just turn on one of the side streets one or two blocks before you hit Line or Colorado to avoid the buildup of traffic from the blocked off streets. As I was heading out, stuffed to the brim at 7:30 pm, I saw a sign saving the date for the event next year - October 15, 2017. You can bet it will be on my calendar and it should be on yours too, especially for any first timers!