The town of Portola Valley held its annual Town Picnic and Zott’s to Tots Fun Run on Sept. 20, bringing together hundreds of local residents to enjoy live music, barbecue, games, petting zoo and more. The decades-long tradition has evolved throughout the years, becoming more family oriented, inviting hundreds more people compared to its early beginnings.
Since 1971, Portola Valley has hosted its Town Picnic at Town Center in celebration of community and the start of fall. In 1979, it started incorporating its Zott’s to Tots Fun Run making both events “a very hallowed town tradition,” said Patty Dewes, chair of the Parks and Recreation Committee.
The day of festivities starts off with a morning fun run from Alpine Inn to Westridge Drive. Over 400 people participated in 2024. Fun run participants completed the nearly 2-mile stretch by foot, bicycles, horses, skateboards, rollerskates and even strollers.
With hundreds of people participating in the fun run, four years ago the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office decided that it would be best for the town to close down the streets for the safety of runners and drivers.
The fun run has become a tradition that invites individuals of all ages from toddlers to seniors. It ends with a celebratory cross of the finish line and a reward of a medal and popsicle.
Cyclists of all ages waiting to collect their medals and popsicles after completing the Zott’s to Tots Fun Run on Sept. 20. Photo by Jennifer Yoshikoshi. 
Portola Valley Zott’s to Tots Fun Run participants cross the finish line on Sept. 20. Photo by Jennifer Yoshikoshi. 
Portola Valley’s Scouting America barbecue booth grills hamburgers and hot dogs for the Town Picnic on Sept. 20. Photo by Jennifer Yoshikoshi. 
Portola Valley community members dance along to live music by local cover band, Up and to the Right, during the Town Picnic on Sept. 20. Photo by Jennifer Yoshikoshi.
After the run, the community walked down the path toward the Town Center where the sounds of the live band, Up and to the Right, echoed through the field. Kids could be spotted jumping on giant inflatable obstacle courses and bounce houses, screaming with joy.
Locals gathered at the picnic tables, catching up with friends and family while enjoying hamburgers and hot dogs grilled by the local Scouting America troop.
In the 1970s, the town picnics were better suited to adults, said Dewes. Residents could be seen having wine with their barbecue, spending time with others in the community. But as the town’s demographic began to change as more families moved in, the town shifted its focus to providing more family-oriented events, Dewes said.
Dewes explained that it simply serves as a time for people to just have fun.
“There’s been a lot of turmoil in the town the last couple of years and I think people like to think about this as an event, where they don’t have to think about the housing element or about the finances of the town and just go down, have fun and meet people,” said Dewes. “There are so many good things about this town and we need to celebrate those.”
