As you know, for tens of thousands of years, the ancient druids who once populated our lands gathered each year on Bernal Hill during the longest day of the year to celebrate the arrival of summer and the harvest of the seasonal foodstuffs that brought them joy and sustenance.

This year, for the first time in the history of the galaxy, this ancient Bernal ritual will begin a new chapter, as our two merchant tribes from Cortlandia and La Lengua will each hold a Solstice Celebration on the same night, and in the same spirit, at the same time — on two different streets.

Specifically, on Thursday night, June 18, the shamans from the Bernal Business Alliance will hold the  2015 Summer Solstice Stroll on glamorous Cortland Avenue. Simultaneously, the high priestesses from the Mission Bernal Merchants Association will hold their first-ever Summer Stroll along the bustling flatland sidewalks of Mission Street between Randall and Cesar Chavez.

The MBMA’s Mission Street Summer Stroll happens on Thursday from 4 to 7:30 pm:

Don’t miss this Thursday’s Mission Bernal Merchants Association SUMMER STROLL! Look for food specials, art events and other fun activities up and down the street. Participating businesses include Ichi Sushi, BEL, Secession Art and Design, The Blue Plate SF, Iron & Gold, Virgil’s Sea Room, The Front Porch, Cafe St. Jorge, The Rock Bar, Cole Hardware, The Knockout and more!

Food Specials:
— ICHI Kakiya – $1 Oysters; Happy Hour Food & Drink Specials
— ICHI Sushi – Izakaya Happy Hour
— Bel  Happy Hour Belgian Food & Drink Specials
— The Blue Plate — 3 –course prix fixe meatloaf /Fried Chicken /Rose Flight
— Iron & Gold — Amelia Ray will be performing 5-7 pm.
– $6 Celery Chavez: Tequila, muddled mint, fresh lemon, simple syrup & celery bitters.
– $6 Manhattan: Bourbon, sweet vermouth & bitters.
– $3 beers on tap. $5 well drinks.
— Virgil’s Sea Room — $1 off draft beers and our $5 Mules, Margaritas and Micheladas until 8 PM

Art:
— Secession Art and Design — Live Painting/Drawing, TBD; discounting the 94110 shirts
— Avenue
– Jaewon Lee, a 10 year old graffiti artist,
– Painting a canvas outside space from 5 PM to 7 PM
– Little Green Cyclo truck in front of our space with a stroll special
– Josh and the Klipptones play from 5 PM to 7 PM
– Henna Tattoos

Fun Events:
— The Front Porch — hop scotch and free popcorn on the porch from 4 till 6:30. Fried chicken samples will go on till the end. .
— The Rock Bar— Drink Specials
— Cafe St. Jorge — Trivia Game
— The Knockout — Drunk Bingo Night

Community Info:
— Hospital Project by HerreroBoldt
— MUNI Forward
— Mission-Valencia Plaza Information

On Cortland, the Summer Stroll is on Thursday from 6 to 9 pm. Neighbor Ken from Succulence and Neighbor Darcy from Heartfelt share some of the 2015 highlights:

The Bernal Business Alliance’s annual Summer Stroll is happening Thursday evening, June 18th from 6-9pm. Many businesses up and down Cortland Ave will be taking part in this intimate neighborhood party. This year we are having a “Focus on Food” with yummy bites and drinks offered at many of your favorite shops along with some live music.

Events like the Summer Stroll and December’s Holiday Stroll are part of what makes Bernal Heights such a throwback community, with a strong emphasis on community. These nights are a great opportunity to support your local businesses while being feted by them in a show of gratitude and celebration.

Come stroll along Cortland on the 18th. Taste some treats, sip some beverages, do some summer shopping and say hello to all your favorite neighbors and store peeps as we toss our worries aside for the evening and focus on the bounty of luck that brought us to Bernal Heights in the first place.

12 Small Things
12 Small Things is having a sidewalk summer sale of handmade artisan products at 436 Cortland Ave

Bernal Homeopathy
Bernal Homeopathy and East-West Integrative Clinic will be under one roof starting July 1st at 406 Cortland Avenue, in East-West Bernal! For the stroll Bernal Homeopathy will be at 406 Cortland maybe with one or two other folks who will work at EWB, on the front porch. They will also have appetizers from Little Nepal.

Bernal Star, Vega, and Vinorosso
Bernal Star & Vega will offer “Bernal Stroll Specials”
Vinorosso will have Summer Stroll happy hour until 9pm ($4 prosecco and Lambrusco!)

Epicurean Trader
Main Event: EPICurean Sandwich Tasting
(taste and vote for our new prepared sandwich range from local Bernal Employee/Chef)
Other Events:
– Llano Seco heirloom beans and sustainably farmed meats tasting event
– Miyoko’s Kitchen Vegan Cheese tasting event
Promo: Win A $50 Gift Voucher raffle!

Heartfelt
Local one-man band cajun musician Brian Belknap will play. Mark will be making a refreshment. The Grommet is hosting a party at the store the same night. And Laura is doing free Tarot readings

Micheal Minson
Climb will have the famous Airstream parked in front of New Wheel with the bluegrass band Windy Bluegrass.

Pinhole Coffee
We have the delicious Burr Eatery on board to serve that night (burritos made in the style of Sonora, Mexico) and treats from Eatwell Farm’s Icebox. Our coffee bar will be open for purchases, too!

Red Hill Station
Red Hill is having an oyster extravaganza!

Sandy Owens Massage and Healing
Sandy Owens Massage and Healing will be at her new location at the Cutting Edge from 6:30-7:30! Eileen Claytor of the Cutting Edge will be there too serving light snacks from 6-9pm, 1000 Cortland Ave.

See you out there!