Sawdust Festival - Art-A-Fair - Lunch - Walk To The Beach!
Our birthday tradition for almost thirty years... It's what we do!
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!
The weather cleared up nicely!
We had an 11:15 reservation and by golly, we made it!
The chef was outside and approves the menu
We were the first guests of the day
Our perch was ready for us
We always sit up on the porch outside the office
The flowers were fresh
Chips are full of calories! Paul found out later that day!
The water fall was falling... Made a relaxing sound
Just us!
Love the windows and the bright green color
Thought it was the Disney Jungle Ride for a minute
The statue has not changed
The waterfall is still pretty... This year they have a net over the pool
to keep the leaves out!
The artist encouraged people to take pictures of her work...
We did... Neat replica of the sea bed!
We were in shade... The sun was bright
Over To The Sawdust Festival
Lighting amongst the trees
Up we go!
Sawdust has it's own waterfalls and streams
Great relaxing sound
It is indeed a magic wishing well! Paul wished to be with a beautiful lady
and voila...
Paul was with Sue.... It worked!
The penny's were shining in the sunlight
Pretty amazing
The wheel was turning and bringing water into the pool
Did you see sailboats?
A Walk To The Beach
The bird was watching the flag wave
A long time ago!
The data is updated once and hour!
The water is 67... No wonder it is cool out!
We could not figure out what to change!
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.
Great location right in the middle of town
We Stopped At The Lumber Yard For A Quick Drink!
We stopped for a drink at "The Lumberyard"
"It is quiet inside!"
Paul attempt at a selfie!
Back To The Parking Lot
We walked by the City Hall, a beautiful building
A mile later we are at Art-A-Fair again!
Love the little signs
We Stopped At Cucina Enoteca For A Drink - We Were Thirsty
A fine dining experience and excellent infusions!
Decisions decisions!
We hit it at the right time... Not full
The manager, Greg, stopped by and chatted for a bit
This is what a pear infused vodka with citrus looks like
We Went Home, Changed And Headed Out To The Phoenix Club
We danced the night away
