It may have been hot last Saturday afternoon, but that didn't stop close to 2000 yelpers from coming out for an epic "Too Hot To Handle" block party to celebrate the Handle District, an eclectic mix of over 20 shops and restaurants in the heart of midtown Sacramento. Yelp took over two blocks exclusively for members of our site to enjoy free food, free drinks, great local music and a host of other entertainment options from massages to face painting. Dozens upon dozens of businesses participated, all with the goal of raising funds for Happy Tails Pet Sanctuary, a cage free, no-kill shelter for homeless animals. In total, over $4900 went to the cause!
In a matter of hours, the picturesque corner of 18th & Capitol became the epicenter of the event, with a stage erected and expertly managed by Stage, Lights & Sound, fencing that went up effortlessly thanks to L & M Rental Fence, portable bathrooms from Area Restroom Solutions and multiple booths in every direction. Yelpers lined up in the shade and entered to the shredding guitar sounds and 80's hair metal of MAXXX, the first of four featured bands. Our humorous MC, DJ Casey Lewis, kept things lively and came to us courtesy of our sponsors RADIO 94.7. Sacramento Magazine, another big sponsor, handed out copies of their latest issue for folks to flip through while perusing the district.
The district's own restaurants provided the generous food samples. There were mouthwatering pulled pork tacos, a decadent bacon carbenara pasta from Paesanos, mufaletta sandwiches from the soon-to-open Mangia, tri-tip sandwiches from Buckhorn Grill, cheese samples from The Rind, gourmet fish from Suite 50, potato and chicken skewers from Aioli Bodega Espanola and a variety of creamy flavors from Yogurtagogo. Some outside food vendors joined in as well, adding potato salad samples from Cusine Noir magazine and decadent Himalayan rock salt caramels from 3D Candies.
Good food is nothing without good libations, and our participating alcohol vendors kept drinks as free flowing as our cities' great rivers. Full pours of Victoria, Modelo and Negra Modelo served from an ice cold keg truck were incredibly popular thirst quenchers. Equally popular were apple cider and salted caramel flavored mixes from Stoli Vodka, ice cold maragaritas from Milagro Tequila ("Perfect to cool me off!" exclaims Danielle O) and classic rum and cokes that came in complimentary branded cups from Sailor Jerry (who also had on hand their famous Air Stream van, a photo wall backdrop and a bean bag toss area!). Crispin Cider served up, as Joe K describes "cold, tangy and delicious" apple and pear cider options. For the vinophiles, red and white options from Domino Winery were served including John B's favorite Moscato that is as "crisp and sweet as a good Moscato should be."
It wouldn't be a Yelp event without plenty of pretty pictures, and those
came almost instantaneously from Pink Shutter Photobooths, who had not
one, not two but three locations fro atendees to capture those moments.
"The next time we do a big event I'm renting one for sure!" asserts
Roberta S. Roaming candids came from Phil Isidro of PureAddict.com and
Melissa Uroff, whose impressive work can be found on the Sacramento Yelp
Flickr page!
Other incredibly popular services included massages from Bassil Kamas and Jacklyn Benjamin, hip fashions from Gypsy Mobile Boutique, and impressive face and body painting from Alana Dill and Emily Loen.
The soundtrack for the day came from an eclectic mix of bands, from hardcore powerhouse trio Horseneck to heavy rockers Lite Brite – both popular bands that have been featured at downtown's Concert in the Park. Our closers, The Nibblers, brought 7-piece funk stylings that hypnotically charged the crowd into a dancing frenzy. "It makes me happy to see folks stop in their tracks and shake their stuff," notes Diane S.
"A high-five to the yelp universe for throwing the best damn
outdoor bash that Sacramento has seen all summer," exclaims Chris C. "The
afternoon was filled with super sweet live hair metal, hardcore, indie
rock, and funk! That coupled with endless premium beverages made this
one of the greatest yelp extravaganza's to date. It was the perfect way
to bring more attention to an already awesome neighborhood."
Read the stellar reviews and find out what you missed. Yelp has plenty more fun times ahead, folks. Stay tuned!
Alex L
Yelp Sacramento Community Manager
