Oceanside CA – Saturday morning, on the south side of the Oceanside Pier, an estimated crowd of 1,500 fanned out to collect trash on the beach and surrounding area during Rubios’ third annual CoastFest. The beach cleanup was hosted by ‘I Love a Clean San Diego’.

Marcus Boring, his wife Vivian and daughters, Daniela, 5 and 3 year-old Luciana, were prepared to go to work on the clean-up as Natalie Roberts, with I Love a Clean San Diego, gave safety advice before the clean-up. Roberts thanked the people who brought their own buckets for the clean-up. “I brought mine but it’s still in the garage “joked Marcus “We’re here because my wife likes to do things for the community plus, my daughter is working on a badge for Girl Scouts.” continued Marcus.
 

Russell Shubert and his wife, Cecilia made the trip to CoastFest from Escondido. “It’s our first time for the beach clean-up at Coastfest.” Saturday wasn’t just your run-of-the-mill Saturday for the Shuberts, it was their 50th wedding anniversary. “We have a saying where I come from.” [The Shuberts are originally from Costa Rica] “Pura Vida”, Pure Life. continued Russell “This is the life. A beautiful morning, good people cleaning the beach.” Cecilia said the couple were going to finish celebrating their anniversary with family, on Sunday.
 

Tommy Smirnoff, of Oceanside, found an injured song bird on the sidewalk and brought it to the Parks and Recreation office. There, he found a flyer for the CoastFest. ” I met Ralph Rubio, founder of the Rubio’s restaurant chain, in La Jolla. He handed me a card and said “Here, your next tacos are on me.” So when I saw the flyer, it was a natural for me to come here for the clean-up.” The bird did recover after Smirnoff took it to the ER at the hospital. Tommy is moving to Santa Barbara later this year “I wanted to do one more thing for Oceanside before I leave.” added Smirnoff.
 

Carol and her daughter Dakota had just moved back to Southern California from Turlock after 20 years. “Oceanside has really changed. The new buildings are really beautiful and what they doing with the streets is really nice.” They found out about CoastFest after looking on-line for something to do over the weekend. “It’s really beautiful that everyone came out for this. I really like the community spirit.” said Dakota.
 

“It’s a great opportunity to teach our kids” said Tammy Hudson of Oceanside. Tammy along with Leonard Gobea his son Matthew and Jazalynn Alaniz brought their recycle bins which the decorated at the Oceanside Earth Fair, a few weeks earlier. “It’s a great way to help our Oceanside community” said Leonard.
After the beach clean-up, it was “Fest” time. A kid zone was set up with games, free surf lessons and live music from the band Clint Perry & The Boo Hoo Crew. Learn more about the band here [Link].

At the amphitheater; live music from Jet West, a reggae/rock band from San Diego that fuses traditional rock with elements of reggae and hard rock and Ease Up who filled in, at the last minute for Bad Neighborz entertained the crowd. A VIP Beer Garden, a new addition to this year’s CoastFest featured Karl Strauss beer and Lolailo Sangria and of course, tacos. Rubio’s sustainable Grilled or Blackened Regal Springs® Taco, handmade guacamole featuring Hass avocados and chips, freshly prepared salsa and cold beverages were available to all who participated in this years event.

Photos: Steve Marcotte / OsideNews