Along with fresh produce and unique products, the Mission Viejo Farmers Market on Friday will feature live entertainment, a street painting demonstration and gourmet food trucks.
Market patrons will enjoy the talents of musician Frank Hechavarria (aka Paquito). With perfect pitch and the ability to play along with any type of music, Paquito is considered the “musicians’ musician.” He was part of the prestigious orchestra at the FountainBleu Hilton in Miami Beach for 10 years, accompanying artists like Frank Sinatra, Ann Margaret, Sammy Davis, Jr. and others. He also composed the theme music for the famous TV sitcom “Que Pasa U.S.A.” As a solo pianist, Paquito has performed with Barry Manilow, Cachao, Nestor Torres, Jose Luis Rodriguez, Julio Iglesias, Luis Enrique, Mongo Santamaria, and others. He has also performed with Gloria Estafan, including on “Oye Mi Canto” for the Grammy-winning “Mi Tierra.”
The Farmers Market will also feature artist Gabriela Peredo giving a street painting demonstration. The colorful demonstration leads up to the Arts Alive Festival this weekend that will boast 80 talented street painting artists who will use chalk to transform the pavement into a gallery of art coming alive. Gabriela is a fine arts instructor who owned an art studio and shop specializing in oils, watercolors and throw-wheel ceramics. She currently works as a muralist and chalk sign artist for Trader Joes and as a freelance designer specializing in floor murals, antique furniture and such. She donates her time to exhibiting student work at the library and demonstrating chalk painting at the Arts Alive Festival.
Along with entertainment and art, patrons can enjoy strolling the market with fare from The Tailgate Truck and Taco Maria gourmet food trucks. Tantalizing taste buds with its mushroom jack burger and bacon-wrapped hot dog, The Tailgate Truck boasts hearty, tasty fare perfect for any event or occasion. Taco Maria calls its food “Chicano Cuisine,” a mezcla of Mexican and American cultures. The mobile eatery features flavorful tacos, burritos and more.
The Mission Viejo Farmers Market takes place each Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Civic Center parking lot, 200 Civic Center. If you have ideas for specific food trucks you would like to see or know someone who has developed a unique product they would like to present to the market, post a comment and let us know.
For more information about the Farmers Market, visit http://cityofmissionviejo.org/farmersmarket.
