Generosity runs festival

A definitive carnival atmosphere prevails on Main Street Tuesday nights. Street performers, musicians and dancers entertain while artisans and crafts people set up shop along the closed street.

Like many small street festivals, the tempting aroma of kettle corn wafts through the air at Surf City Nights in Huntington Beach. Though a bag of the Azoff family’s sweet popcorn is a small — albeit delicious — part of the evening’s experience, their behind-the-scenes contribution to the weekly event, fuels other vendors’ businesses.

Literally.

Main Street doesn’t have enough outdoor electrical outlets for all the street vendors to light their booths. Barbara Azoff and her sons Nick, 17, and Everett, 13, bring five small generators from their Woodland Hills home each week to make sure every vendor has power.

“She’s our godsend,” said Connie Pedenko, executive director of the Downtown Business Improvement District.

The kettle corn venture was originally run by Barbara’s husband, Ron. When he heard about Main Street’s power problems, he stepped in to help out.

Ron died in August at 50 years old, leaving Barbara, an architect, to run the business and care for their two boys.

Despite the family’s loss, the Azoffs still show up every week to bring a little light into Huntington Beach. Pedenko said they even showed up on the day of Ron’s funeral to ensure each business had power.

“The family’s been so wonderful even in their trauma,” Pedenko said. “It was just unbelievable, it shows you their commitment.”

To Barbara, it was a no-brainer. It’s what Ron would have wanted.

“He’s always been a very generous person,” she said.

Barbara said her late husband loved the stand, selling kettle corn at small street fairs and air shows. Running the stand will serve as a connection to him.

“We decided to keep the business open in the spirit of him,” she said. “The boys and I are glad to keep it.”

Running the kettle corn stands gets her out of the house, she said.

The architect said she enjoys the interaction and the break from her office.

“It’s very nice for me to be around people; my computer screen gets lonely.”

Much of the business’ operations have fallen to Nick. He loads the trailer, drives and serves guests. Starting his senior year in high school while managing the kettle corn operation is a challenge for Nick, but it’s one he said he’s up to.

“There’s a lot of planning and responsibilities,” Nick said.

Without the Azoffs, it would have been difficult for Surf City Nights to keep running in the same capacity, Pedenko said. She’s especially impressed with how the two boys have kept the kettle corn popping in their father’s stead.

“For young teenage boys, they are just wonderful,” Pedenko said.