With their usual whimsy, those folks from 826 Valenicia celebrated their five-year anniversary on 8/26. They did so with a community festival at Mission Playground, which is right near the store. Entry was free; folks purchased tickets to engage in many of the activities. Kids and adult-sized kids engaged in music, games, pie-eating contests, and tried their hand at dunking folks. Seemed like everyone was having a swell time for a swell cause. (For those of you not in the know, 826 Valencia is a nonprofit organization that helps students develop their writing skills; they've always got something cool going on, too)

More pics after the jump

"I thought they said 'drunk tank', damnit."

A lonely uke-playing troubador does so with an infectious gusto on the lawn area.

Sheeze! Is that safe? (Sure looks fun tho).

Aaargh! Thar festival wouldn't be from 826 Valencia without some pirate-y stuff, ye scurveys.