You can raise a glass and drink up memories of one of San Jose’s long-lost landmarks thanks to a new beer released by Narrative Fermentations named after Frontier Village.
The western-themed amusement park opened in South San Jose’s Edenvale district in 1961 and delighted kids with stagecoaches, a train and shootouts between marshals and bank robbers, who always lost the gunfight but managed to come back for the next show. There was a Ferris wheel, a spooky mine ride, an antique auto ride and a multi-armed ride called the Tarantula that still makes my stomach flip just thinking about it.
Frontier Village closed in 1980, with much of its stuff auctioned off or sold to other parks and its land developed into housing and what is now Edenvale Garden Park next to Hayes Mansion. For more than 20 years, former employees and fans have been holding annual reunions at the park, with the most recent one this past in June.
Tim Stephens, who has been collecting Frontier Village memorabilia for more than 25 years, brought out a small bit of his collection for the release of the beer July 8 at Narrative Fermentations’ brewery and taproom on Alma Avenue. That included an original map sign that was posted outside the marshal’s office, badges worn by the marshals, bumper stickers and binders filled with photos.
Stephens and I agreed that a Hazy IPA might not have fit right in at Frontier Village’s Silver Dollar Saloon, but it’s a pretty tasty beer nonetheless. But if you’re having a couple, let someone else drive the stagecoach.
WHEEL EFFORT: While the San Jose Sharks’ front office is busy rebuilding the team, the Sharks Foundation set its sights on building bikes for kids in the area. More than 200 volunteers from the Sharks Foundation, SAP and TurningWheels for Kids gathered at SAP Center on Wednesday morning to assemble about 500 bicycles that will be distributed to young riders in the community.
The bikes — along with helmets and locks — were funded by a $175,000 community assist grant to TurningWheels for Kids from the Sharks Foundation and SAP. Sharks Foundation Manager Jenné Johnson was joined at the event by Ignacio Vallejo, associate director of TurningWheels for Kids; Anamarie Franc, managing director of SAP Labs U.S.; and lovable mascot S.J. Sharkie.
LOCAL COLOR TURNS SEVEN: Time flies when you’re beautifying San Jose, at least it has for Local Color, which is celebrating its seventh anniversary on July 16.
The nonprofit started by Executive Director Erin Salazar has been on a mission to provide opportunities for artists by connecting them with businesses and organizations that can use their talents. In downtown San Jose, this has resulted in murals, art covering windows and empty storefronts and the beautification of barriers and planters.
“Pints for Paints,” an all-ages anniversary party will be at Original Gravity, 66 S. First St., on July 16 starting at 5 p.m. It’s free to attend, and proceeds from beer sales will go toward supporting Local Color’s programs.
CUDA GO COUNTRY: The San Jose Barracuda will be going a little country when they take the ice at TechCU Arena this season after getting into a three-year marketing deal with Bay Country, the San Jose FM station formerly known as KBAY.
Emily Harlan, the Sharks in-arena host at SAP Center, and public address announcer Danny Miller are already on the air on Bay Country. Starting this month, one of them will conduct weekly interviews with Barracuda coaches, players or front office staff that will be streamed on Bay Country’s Facebook page. Friday night home games at the new TechCU Arena will include an in-game “Cuda Country” singalong.
Source: www.mercurynews.com