Sunset Beach-
- Sunset Beach Art Festival held on Mother's Day Weekend (2nd
weekend in May), is an annual event that brings out the color, the
kitsch and tons of shopping opportunities for the outdoor lover.
Hop in your classic car with the
custom rods and cruise on over to Sunset Beach for the annual
Mother's Day Art Festival. Thousands turn out to see the
hand-crafted goodies people bring and sell at this event that
includes an art competition, pancake breakfast, raffle and vendor
booths.
Held on the green, grass lawns
within view of the Sunset beach beaches and Pacific Ocean, the
greenbelt comes alive with buzz of shoppers and those who just want
to browse for the latest ideas in fashion, home decor and gift items
at an event akin to the fair, minus the rides.
Sponsored and produced by the
Sunset Beach Community Association, Las Damas and possibly other
community groups, the event proceeds benefit several programs such
as music and art for school kids.
Cute, quaint Sunset Beach
features a one-mile strip of sand where classic cottages and homes
sit next to some understated beach mansions. Celebrities enjoy
calling this getaway home, or making it a second residence away from
Hollywood. And the "old timers" who bought land and housing decades
ago tend to be simply nice people who aren't necessarily wealthy,
except when they sell their house and get money for the pricey
property.
The art festival is one of the
most popular Orange County and Southern California festivals, and
we've always puzzled why. It's not that it isn't nice. From first
glance, it kind of looks junky. But when you ask artists to define
the appeal, they'll tell you the have incredible sales at this
event. The intimacy of Sunset Beach, closeness to the beach,
good weather, nice people and fundraising effort all add up to a
tremendous sell-out art competition and vendor showcase.
Where to stay: Ramada Limited, EconoLodge, Ocean View Hotel
