After more than a year of battling the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, several businesses in Ocean Beach on Saturday celebrated the start of summer with the return of its long-time traditional fair — albeit with a twist this year.
The Ocean Beach MainStreet Association hosted “Celebrate the OB Vibe,” a free community event along the waterfront on Abbot Street to support businesses affected by the pandemic akin to its annual Ocean Beach Street Fair and Chili Cookoff.
This year’s event was held on a smaller scale and set up in parking lots, rather than on streets near the beach. Due to the uncertainty of health-related restrictions, the usual event was canceled in 2020 and this year.
“Merchants have had enough setbacks and this is a time to celebrate,” said Barbara Iacometti, president of the association. “We have bars, breweries, retailers, restaurants and we need to support them. This setup gives everyone a…
