Facebook Festivals Start Summer With Social Community Fun

This summer, Facebook opens their Menlo Park campus to the community for five festivals, crafted to celebrate life and local fare in the Silicon Valley. The food and all-inclusive family fun is aimed to benefit a host of local nonprofits, and provide entertainment for locals of all ages.

Called the Facebook Festivals, each event has a theme evoking summer faire nostalgia, focused on connecting residents with local food and drink. “Connections are at the core of everything we do at Facebook,” said a Facebook spokesperson. “We want our neighbors in Menlo Park and East Palo Alto to feel welcomed.”

The focus on community is nothing new for Facebook.  “When we moved to Menlo Park in 2011, our neighbors welcomed us into the community, underscoring the openness of both cities and the broader region,” said a Facebook spokesperson. In response to employees and the surrounding community wanting access to more fresh food alternatives, Facebook has hosted summer community markets since October 2015.  The festivals are the evolution of the yearly farmers market events, involving more community partners and businesses, and adding activities like live music and cooking demonstrations.

Facebook partnered with Good Roots, a company focused on farmers markets at corporate headquarters, to select a variety of vendors for each event. According to Facebook, they are especially focused on those growing their network of vendors, looking for sustainable practices in the surrounding Bay Area region.  

Each festival will have their own theme centered on classic summertime activities. The first of these festivals takes place on May 13, “Chili, Cars & Everyday Stars,” praising local everyday heroes. The event will feature, “ food, drink, cars, trucks, live music, free kid zone & much more!” Mark your calendar!

For more information on vendors, or the other four festivals, take a look at the website https://fbinthecommunity.com/