Tradition: Sawdust Festival Laguna July 9th 2015

She is Perfection!

Sawdust Festival - Art-A-Fair - Lunch - Walk To The Beach!

Our birthday tradition for almost thirty years... It's what we do! 

Visit to Laguna Beach for Sue's 2015 birthday tradition

Did You Know? - In 1965, a group of hippie-type artists were dissatisfied with the nearby Laguna Beach Festival of Arts (FOA) and its jury system, which they viewed as rigged and part of The Establishment.

This group held their first exhibit in 1965 on the vacant Peacock lot near Park Avenue in Laguna; it was called "The Rejects Festival" by some in the media and at the FOA. The group held their second showing in 1967 on the Kronquist lot in north Laguna.

In 1968, the festival moved to its present three-acre site on Laguna Canyon Road, across the street from the established FOA. At this location, Sawdust artists began building ,"wildly conceived, mostly wood-built quasi-dwellings, which were heavy on the rustic theme, with no two alike." They also built a wooden, fort-like gate, and spread sawdust or wood chips onto the bare ground.

While the festival in its early days had a carnival atmosphere, with streakers and religious fanatics preaching amid the booths, it was sparsely attended. Admission was initially free; but it was raised to 25 cents in the early 1970s, "only after some locals came to chant and preach rather than look," according to an early exhibitor.
Sawdust facade, eastern end

Attendance grew and reached a peak of 350,000 in the early 1970s. By the mid-1980s, the home-made booths, gate, and sawdust remained, but as the festival became more respectable, attendance fell to around 250,000.

First stop is Art-A-Fair and a visit to Trivoli Too for lunch!

Visit to Laguna Beach for Sue's 2015 birthday tradition
The weather cleared up nicely!

Visit to Laguna Beach for Sue's 2015 birthday tradition
We had an 11:15 reservation and by golly, we made it!

Visit to Laguna Beach for Sue's 2015 birthday tradition
The chef was outside and approves the menu

Visit to Laguna Beach for Sue's 2015 birthday tradition
We were the first guests of the day

Visit to Laguna Beach for Sue's 2015 birthday tradition
Our perch was ready for us
We always sit up on the porch outside the office

Visit to Laguna Beach for Sue's 2015 birthday tradition
The flowers were fresh

Visit to Laguna Beach for Sue's 2015 birthday tradition
Chips are full of calories! Paul found out later that day!

Visit to Laguna Beach for Sue's 2015 birthday tradition
The water fall was falling... Made a relaxing sound

Visit to Laguna Beach for Sue's 2015 birthday tradition
Just us!

Visit to Laguna Beach for Sue's 2015 birthday tradition
Love the windows and the bright green color

Visit to Laguna Beach for Sue's 2015 birthday tradition
Thought it was the Disney Jungle Ride for a minute

Visit to Laguna Beach for Sue's 2015 birthday tradition
The statue has not changed

Visit to Laguna Beach for Sue's 2015 birthday tradition
The waterfall is still pretty... This year they have a net over the pool
to keep the leaves out!

Visit to Laguna Beach for Sue's 2015 birthday tradition
The artist encouraged people to take pictures of her work...
We did... Neat replica of the sea bed!

Visit to Laguna Beach for Sue's 2015 birthday tradition
We were in shade... The sun was bright

Over To The Sawdust Festival

Visit to Laguna Beach for Sue's 2015 birthday tradition
Lighting amongst the trees

Visit to Laguna Beach for Sue's 2015 birthday tradition
Up we go!

Visit to Laguna Beach for Sue's 2015 birthday tradition
Sawdust has it's own waterfalls and streams

Visit to Laguna Beach for Sue's 2015 birthday tradition
Great relaxing sound

Visit to Laguna Beach for Sue's 2015 birthday tradition
It is indeed a magic wishing well! Paul wished to be with a beautiful lady
and voila...
Paul was with Sue.... It worked!

Visit to Laguna Beach for Sue's 2015 birthday tradition
The penny's were shining in the sunlight

Visit to Laguna Beach for Sue's 2015 birthday tradition
Pretty amazing

Visit to Laguna Beach for Sue's 2015 birthday tradition
The wheel was turning and bringing water into the pool

Visit to Laguna Beach for Sue's 2015 birthday tradition
Did you see sailboats?

A Walk To The Beach

Visit to Laguna Beach for Sue's 2015 birthday tradition
The bird was watching the flag wave

Visit to Laguna Beach for Sue's 2015 birthday tradition
A long time ago!

Visit to Laguna Beach for Sue's 2015 birthday tradition
The data is updated once and hour!
The water is 67... No wonder it is cool out!

Visit to Laguna Beach for Sue's 2015 birthday tradition
We could not figure out what to change!

Visit to Laguna Beach for Sue's 2015 birthday tradition
The bungalow has its own history

Did You Know? - The bungalow was built for the Murphy family in 1923. It is listed in the city's historical inventory and is described as "a builder's bungalow with a box plan, multi-gabled roof and clapboard siding. Wide wood posts support the porch gable. The main door has side light windows and French doors open onto the bedroom."

In 1935 Claudia Clapp, who owned a boarding house across the street, purchased the bungalow and later sold it to her daughter, Blanche Clapp. During WWII, Blanche would rent out one of the bedrooms to service personnel and their wives.

She married in the early 1950s, becoming Blanche Clapp Smith. Mr. and Mrs. Smith moved to Los Angeles, but returned to their Laguna Beach bungalow in 1953 when her Mr. Smith became ill.

Mrs. Smith was a familiar figure, often seen working in her garden and sweeping the porch and was known for her daily walks to Main Beach. She lived in the house until her death in 1991 (born in 1901.) The bungalow is now owned by Wells Fargo Bank, which generously leases it to the Laguna Beach Historical Society for $1 per year.

Visit to Laguna Beach for Sue's 2015 birthday tradition
Great location right in the middle of town

We Stopped At The Lumber Yard For A Quick Drink!

Visit to Laguna Beach for Sue's 2015 birthday tradition
We stopped for a drink at "The Lumberyard"

Visit to Laguna Beach for Sue's 2015 birthday tradition
"It is quiet inside!"

Visit to Laguna Beach for Sue's 2015 birthday tradition
Paul attempt at a selfie!

Back To The Parking Lot

Visit to Laguna Beach for Sue's 2015 birthday tradition
We walked by the City Hall, a beautiful building

Visit to Laguna Beach for Sue's 2015 birthday tradition
A mile later we are at Art-A-Fair again!

Visit to Laguna Beach for Sue's 2015 birthday tradition
Love the little signs

We Stopped At Cucina Enoteca For A Drink - We Were Thirsty

Visit to Laguna Beach for Sue's 2015 birthday tradition
A fine dining experience and excellent infusions!

Visit to Laguna Beach for Sue's 2015 birthday tradition
Decisions decisions!

Visit to Laguna Beach for Sue's 2015 birthday tradition
We hit it at the right time... Not full
The manager, Greg, stopped by and chatted for a bit

Visit to Laguna Beach for Sue's 2015 birthday tradition
This is what a pear infused vodka with citrus looks like

We Went Home, Changed And Headed Out To The Phoenix Club

Visit to Laguna Beach for Sue's 2015 birthday tradition
We danced the night away

Visit to Laguna Beach for Sue's 2015 birthday tradition