solano.stroll-8sept13 Neil Mishalov
The Solano Stroll, on Sunday Sept. 8, saw an estimated 250,000 people flock to the avenue that straddles Berkeley and Albany. Photo: Neil Mishalov

The 39th annual Solano Stroll on Sunday was another glorious day of community gathering. The East Bay’s largest street festival, hosted jointly by Albany and Berkeley, featured 500 street vendors, as well as all the merchants that line Solano Avenue’s 26 blocks. The highlight, as always, was the parade. But for the thousands of people who came to enjoy the sun, great music, food and lively community spirit, the whole day offered a chance to catch up with friends and local organizations (including Berkeleyside — we were delighted to chat with so many of our readers at our booth), enjoy the free entertainment, and, of course, simply stroll.

stroll signs
Photo: Nancy Rubin
Stroll hair
Photo: Nancy Rubin
Stroll scouts
Photo: Nancy Rubin
Stroll BHS jazz
Photo: Nancy Rubin
Stroll dancers
Photo: Nancy Rubin
Stroll portrait
Photo: Nancy Rubin
Stroll dragon
Photo: Nancy Rubin
Stroll Tuolumne
Photo: Nancy Rubin
Stroll overview
Photo: Nancy Rubin

Related:
The Solano Stroll returns on Sunday for the 39th year (09.04.13)
Photos: Solano Stroll 2012, a great Berkeley day in the sun (09.10.12)
Solano Stroll takes to the street on Sunday in 38th year (09.05.12)
Reminder: Stop by to say hello at the Solano Stroll (09.09.11)
Out for a Stroll, with thousands of others (09.13.10)
The Solano Stroll: 36 years on and bigger than ever (09.09.10)

Follow Berkeleyside on Twitter, and on Facebook. Email us at tips@berkeleyside.com. Would you like the latest Berkeley news sent to your email inbox once a day? Click here to subscribe to Berkeleyside’s free Daily Briefing.

Tracey Taylor is co-founder of Berkeleyside and co-founder and editorial director of Cityside, the nonprofit parent to Berkeleyside and The Oaklandside. Before launching Berkeleyside, Tracey wrote for...