Crowds Add Color to Fiesta de las Artes

The sights at the three-day Memorial Day Weekend Fiesta de las Artes in Hermosa Beach are by no means limited to the works of some 400 artists and craftsmen.

The event, continuing today and Monday, does offer an array of handmade jewelry, whimsical pottery, hand-painted T-shirts, wind chimes and woodwork from all over the country.

But the crowds are also a feast for the eyes.

With about six blocks at Pier and Hermosa avenues closed to automobile traffic during festival hours, the sidewalks and streets were jammed by noon Saturday with brightly dressed festival-goers.

“I’ve been coming to this festival for years,” said Terry Barbuck, an engineer from Redondo Beach who roller-skated up to the festival Saturday morning. “Skating is the only way to go,” he said, plopping down in the shade for a hot dog and a cold drink.

An estimated 100,000 beach-goers, art enthusiasts, gift shoppers, parents with children, and assorted others are expected to attend the three-day festival sponsored by the Hermosa Beach Chamber of Commerce. Festival hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. today and Monday.

Parking is available at Mira Costa High School, 701 S. Peck Ave., Manhattan Beach. A free shuttle service is operating, and admission to the festival is also free.

Among the items for sale are $1 finger puppets, $3 decorative magnets, $40 wind-powered movable wood sculptures, $18 one-of-a-kind earrings, $10 shell-design stationery, $62 hand-painted and appliqued tennis shoes, $5 cinnamon-fragrance brooms, $10 kaleidoscopes, dramatic photographs of China and Vietnam by Bill Kwok Tchui for $25 and up, and $10 Tiny Tights, designed by South Bay native Laurel Daniels. Daniels said she invented her line of tights, tops and miniskirts for babies because she couldn’t find jazzy clothes for her 13-month-old daughter, Danley.

Entertainment for children includes face-painting, a $1 “Moon Bounce” attraction, and a booth where youngsters can have themselves photographed surfing inside a huge fiberglass wave, with the Beach Boys singing on tape in the background for atmosphere.

Refreshments include such staples as hamburgers, hot dogs and lemonade, with exotic cuisine including falafel, German sausage and chicken fajitas. A number of community organizations and schools will receive proceeds from their food booths at the festival.

Musical entertainment from salsa bands to country and Western will be presented throughout the event, with the Playboy Jazz Festival finals from 1 to 4 p.m. Monday. The winner will open the Playboy Jazz Festival at the Hollywood Bowl in June.

At noon today, awards will be given for the best entries in nine arts and crafts categories.

In memory of Bill Fowler, executive vice president of the chamber who died earlier this year, the Best of Show Award will be given in his honor, commemorating his “energy and devotion” in the last 18 biennial fiestas, chamber officials announced.