Monrovia Old Town report: Summer fun & fundraising

By Shawn Spencer

If you have not been to the new Monrovia Farmer’s Market, you are missing out! Not to be confused with the Friday Night Street Fair, this is a completely separate event. Every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Station Square, you will find a multitude of wonderful vendors. All vendors are certified California Farmers. Some but not all of the vendors offer organic produce. There are fruits, vegetables, a butcher, a fishmonger, fresh bread and baked goods. I didn’t see it, but I heard there is even ice cream. You can best believe I will find that booth this Saturday. 

I’m not sure if the band is a sure thing every week, but it was really nice to be able to listen to live music while shopping. I’m hopeful even more vendors will join in. Honestly, there are enough produce vendors now, but I’ve got my fingers crossed for eggs, fresh pasta, cheeses and beef jerky. Go early before it gets hot, but definitely GO! It is a wonderful addition to our town.

This Sunday, June 23, there will be a fundraiser for the family of Nicolas Gandara. You might remember reading about the 39-year-old Monrovian who was shot and killed while trying to calm down a disagreement between two individuals who apparently inhabit the riverbed area. The shooter was caught and arrested, yet Nic’s family is still struggling to make sense of his untimely and tragic death. Nic leaves behind a wife and six children. Nic’s son graduated Monrovia High School without his father just two days after he died. His daughter was promoted from kindergarten without her daddy. His youngest is only 8 weeks old. 

We, as a community, are trying to lessen the burden on this family with a FUN-draiser in his honor. It will be held at Mt. Lowe Brewing Company at 150 E. St. Joseph St. in Arcadia, from 1 to 8 p.m. There will be music, games, face painting, Tim the Bubble Man will be joining us. Sepulveda Tattoo will be offering flash tattoos from 2 to 6 p.m.The Smoking Grill and Perlitas Oysters will be on hand to feed everyone. There will also be an auction and Cash Bingo. This will be a super fun event for the entire family so please do come and support this family. Bring your cash or your Venmo. Every dollar helps and I know the family deeply appreciates everyone’s efforts. Like many of us, this family worked hard for their family but also lived paycheck to paycheck.

On Sunday, June 30, the 7^th Annual Monrovia Music Fest will be held at Library Park from noon to 7 p.m. It will be a beautiful day filled with live bands, food trucks, craft beer and an artisan market. Free fun for everyone! How can you go wrong? By free, I mean no tickets are necessary to enter. Beer, food and whatever floats your boat at the artisan market will need to be paid for, lest you want issues.

And coming very soon is one of my favorite Monrovia holidays on Thursday, July 4^th, at Library Park! Be there or be square! There will be live music, beginning at 7 p.m. featuring Stone Soul. The firework show will begin at 9 p.m. You can reserve a space at the park no earlier than the morning of the Fourth. It is always an amazing party with a spectacular grand finale! 

We had a great celebration for Monrovia’ s birthday in May. Our community delegates brought us home the award for the 2024 All-America City. Monrovia is a two-time winner, and a huge celebration must be had by all!! We all have a lot to celebrate and a lot to be thankful and grateful for. God bless America and God bless us all.