BREA

Last week’s Brea Fest 2000 brought in $26,601 for cultural events in the city, according to Kathie DeRobbio, coordinator of this year’s event.

About 5,000 people showed up to taste samples of food from more than 30 area restaurants and distributors. DeRobbio said ticket sales, plus underwritten donations and T-shirt sales, combined to make Friday’s event almost $1,000 more profitable than last year’s.

“The purposes of this event go hand in hand,” DeRobbio said. “Our first purpose is to raise awareness about the arts in Brea. The second purpose to make money for cultural events.”