Private locals' party at Sawdust tonight kicks off Summer 2024
This last weekend, I was talking with my dear friend, Angie Miller, about what being long-time residents of Laguna Beach really means, and what an unusual town we enjoy. She made a great statement that evening - she said, “I just want to spend the summer celebrating Laguna Beach.”
Well said. And, as far as I’m concerned, there’s no better locals’ celebration than tonight, when the 58th Annual Sawdust Festival hosts its annual “private party” for locals.
Let me tell you: Andy Williams may have sung about the Christmas holidays when he sang, “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” but TONIGHT is definitely the most wonderful time of the year for locals in Laguna Beach. It signifies the official start of our busy Summer Season, and (I jokingly say), the last time we locals will see each other for two months as we go underground to our tunnels and dens to wait out the tourist onslaught of the summer. (Kidding, I’m kidding.)
Now, “private party” is a bit of an understatement.
Back in 1966 when the Sawdust artists originally splintered from the Pageant of the Masters to create their own “locals-only-art” festival, THAT private party was probably oh, maybe 70 or so people. Now, more than 300 people congregate in the newly-strewn sawdust “streets” of the Festival.
It is truly a special event.
For starters, you can’t get a ticket unless you’re connected to one of the artists, and the artists have a limited number of tickets … so you’d better be a darned good friend. Thankfully, the great jeweler Baruch Kaufman, asked me to join with one of his “Golden Tickets.” If you ever see me in video clips, I’m always wearing one of his amazing pendants. (They’re the greatest conversation starters no matter where I travel in the world.)
Secondly, this party offers up ALL of the best of the best these 180 amazing artists have been working on all winter long. It’s a happy, joyful, boisterous buying spree, for sure.
Third, the sheer history of this Festival has such impact with us, the locals. Just yesterday, for instance, I had wandered down to the Lost Pier Cafe at Aliso Beach for my favorite blackened chicken tacos (ask for the green salsa and the lime crema on the side, so amazing).
As I sat alone at my little table, a woman asked if I didn’t mind sharing. As we started chatting, she told me that she’d grown up in Newport Beach but that, in the early 1970s, she used to sew the “hippie dolls” for now-famed Sawdust artist Roark Gourley. I mean … how random is that? There’s just nothing like this Sawdust Festival anywhere in the world.
Now, of course, Roark’s giant shoe sculpture in Las Vegas is one of the most photographed icons around at the Cosmopolitan.
Fourth, the food stalls are manned by our local chefs, too. Last week, I stopped in to see my friend, Fransesca, at GG’s Bistro and she confirmed - they’re back at the Festival with their yummy gyros, grilled meats and salads.
AND! Rumor has it that Gonzo himself is actually back with his own “Taco Loco” food stand! (Come on, we all knew it - that amazing dude could never retire.)
So, I’m posting this quickly and then off and readying for the big night at the Sawdust. I’m looking forward to seeing many, many friends.
The Summer Sawdust Festival officially opens to the public this Friday, June 28th through Sept. 1st.
Hours of operation:
Sun - Thurs, 11 am to 8 pm
Friday and Saturdays, 11 am to 10 pm
Save a lot of time by grabbing your ticket online.
Adults are $12, Seniors (65+) are $10 and kids (6-12) are $5.
This sounds like an awesomely, joyful event, Diane. Have a great evening celebrating summer and socializing.