Pleasanton, Alameda County Fairgrounds Will Draw Thousands This Weekend

Thousands are expected to descend to Pleasanton this weekend for a variety of events.

A swim meet at the Dolores Bengston Aquatic Center will have about 800 participants.The event is expected to result in some  congestion on Santa Rita Rd. and Black Ave. in the morning time. Organizers said they have developed a system with the Police Department to faciliate the flow of  traffic.

"[The meet] is a considered to be a middle-of-the-road [competition], it's not the biggest but it's not the smallest," said Ian Anderson, recreation supervisor.

Anderson said local businesses and residents have been notified about the potential traffic and parking congestion. He said, some of the coffee shops, including Noah's Bagel and Starbucks Coffee in the Amador Shopping Center may see an influx of customers in the mornings.

At the Hyatt Summerfield Suites, Director of Sales Jon Burchett said rooms are surprisingly nearly booked up. He said the hotel, which has 128 rooms, does not usually get filled at this time of the year.

"It's a big weekend for us," Burchett said.

The Alameda County Fairgrounds is expecting large crowds this weekend starting  April 15 with a Pleasanton/NorCal Tea Party event. The group is expecting about 7,000 to show up from all over Nothern California. Lots of media coverage is expected, as well.

From April 15 - 18,the Boy Scouts of America will be celebrating it's 100th birthday at the Alameda County Fairgrounds. More than 16,000 scouts, leaders and family members are expected to come to enjoy activities and shows.

A smaller event taking place in Pleasanton this weekend is the 9th Annual Poetry and Prose Festival on April 17 -18 at the Senior Center. The festival is comprised of workshops and gatherings where participants can meet writers and poets.