The Region - News from Sept. 8, 1986

Throngs of visitors turned out for West Hollywood’s first Street Festival over the weekend, clogging a five-block stretch of Santa Monica Boulevard as they sampled ethnic foods and danced to the strains of disco, reggae and square dance music. Sheriff’s Lt. Anthony Dennis estimated that more than 100,000 people flocked to the two-day block party held by the 2 1/2-year-old city, which is populated largely by gays, senior citizens and Russian immigrants. West Hollywood City Councilman John Heilman pronounced the event a success and said he hoped it would be an annual celebration. “We wanted a mix of people and this crowd reflected it,” he said.