Atascadero Celebrates Downtown Transformation with Ribbon Cutting & Citywide Block Party June 27, 2025 | 5-9 pm

The City of Atascadero is thrilled to announce the official celebration of the El Camino Real Downtown Safety and Parking Enhancement (ECR) Project with a community-wide Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and Block Party on Friday, June 27th at 5:00 PM! Join City Council members, City staff, community partners, and local businesses at The Plaza on El Camino Real, across from Sunken Gardens, for an unforgettable evening marking the completion of one of Atascadero’s most transformative projects.

The celebration will kick off with an official ribbon cutting and community toast featuring remarks from Mayor Charles Bourbeau with special guests from the Offices of Senator John Laird, Congressman Jimmy Panetta, and the San Luis Obispo Council of Governments (SLOCOG)—all of whom played a critical role in supporting the project through advocacy and funding partnerships. Then, the party truly begins!

"The completion of the ECR Project is a proud and transformational moment for Atascadero” said Mayor Charles Bourbeau. “This project is the result of years of community input, planning, partnership, and unwavering commitment to creating a safer, more vibrant, and more accessible downtown. With over 100 new free parking spaces, critical safety improvements, and a revitalized streetscape that brings new life to our city center, this is a project built by and for the people of Atascadero. We are especially grateful to our partners at the offices of Senator Laird, Congressman Panetta, and the San Luis Obispo Council of Governments for helping us bring this vision to life. This is more than a celebration of a completed project—it’s a celebration of our community, our momentum, and the future we’re building together.”

Attendees will enjoy a vibrant block party filled with exciting entertainment and family-friendly fun, including a Disco Ball Scavenger Hunt across downtown, dynamic dance performances by 805 Movement and Performance Arts, Traffic Records DJ’s spinning live, live radio broadcast by KJUG, exclusive interviews with What’s Up North County, dozens of classic cars, and extended hours at downtown shops & restaurants. 

SLO Safe Ride will be providing shuttle service to the Downtown from 4 pm until 8 pm. The shuttle will run every 45 minutes starting at 4 pm at Springhill Suites by Marriott, Hilton Home 2 Suites, Fairfield Inn and Holiday Inn Express. The Downtown pick up and drop off location will be on Traffic Way next to The Carlton starting at 4:45 pm. Shuttle services will also be offered from these hotels on Saturday to the Tin City Block Party in Templeton. Atascadero shuttles are compliments of the Atascadero Tourism Business Improvement District. For more information, go to VisitAtascadero.com/events and click on Block Party Weekend Shuttle Information!

To add to the ongoing list of activities, attendees can also expect surprise activations and pop-ups throughout the evening. Downtown “hot spots” will include:

• Party on the Plaza, featuring the ribbon cutting, dancers, and Traffic Records DJ on the El Camino Plaza
• North End Karaoke and Clay, with a pottery wheel throwdown near The Pottery
• Family Fun Zone, with mocktails and games for the whole family in the alley on Palma Ave
• Dancin' on Entrada, all night long, complete with a DJ and a Dance-off and costume contest at 7 PM
• The Sweet Spot, serving up dessert all evening in the courtyard on Traffic Way
• 805 Board Spot, with KJUG broadcasting live from 805 Boardshop

This event is free and open to the public. Don’t miss your chance to be part of Atascadero’s next great chapter! To find out more about the details of the construction project, visit atascadero.org/ECRproject, or to learn more about the Block Party, visitatascadero.com/events.  

Event Details:

Location: The Plaza on El Camino Real (across from Sunken Gardens)
Date: Friday, June 27, 2025
Time: 5:00 PM – Ribbon Cutting & Community Toast
Block Party: Immediately following the ceremony