October 6 and 7 turned out to be a perfect weekend for the Manhattan Beach Hometown Fair: sunny, but not too hot, as thousands of visitors strolled through the streets of Manhattan Beach to partake in food, games, and fun.

The 46th annual fair was host to a lively Battle of the Bands, more than 60 food stands run by local charitable organizations, more than 200 fine arts and crafts booths, a kids' carnival, free and paid games, and longstanding traditions like the Diaper Derby, the Toddler Trot, and the Beer Garden and Wine Garden. 

XYZPDQ, a band made up of local teens and tweens, were crowned the winner of a hard-fought Battle of the Bands on Sunday, earning a $500 prize and the roaring approval of the crowd.

The Manhattan Beach Old Hometown Fair (the "old" was later removed from the name) was started by a group of residents in 1972 who wanted to promote community spirit within Manhattan Beach. The fair included a parade down Manhattan Beach Boulevard, turning north on Valley to the fair.

From the beginning, the parade has included the Mira Costa High School band and drill teams and various city dignitaries in convertibles and old cars. The fair has also always included local craft booths, non-profit food and game booths as well as a variety of entertainment for children and adults.

The fair was incorporated on April 12, 1977 as a California non-profit organization. It has continued as a successful non-profit venture ever since.