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By Olin Ericksen
Staff Writer
May 21 -- Whether dancing to Latin rhythms, lazing
on the grass or milling at booths representing a microcosm
of Santa Monica's civic and cultural life, thousands turned
out Sunday for the 16th Annual Santa Monica Festival, perhaps
the greenest yet on record.
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| Food lines |
A mini-village of prefabricated tents and stages sprang up
amidst the jungle gyms and athletic fields at Clover Park,
turning the 13.4-acres for a few short hours into the epicenter
for all things Santa Monica.
"What I love about it is it truly is a mixture of all
of Santa Monica's community," said Jessica Cusick, manager
of the City's Community and Cultural Affairs Department.
Launched in 1991, the $140,000 event is growing, as scores
of unique acts and attractions -- such as a preteen fashion
show and booths dedicated to beefing up bike use -- continue
to draw Santa Monicans and other nearby residents, she said.
"It's one of my department's largest events of the year,"
said Cusick, adding that the City pitched in $60,000 for this
year's festival.
In addition to featuring local culture and civic groups,
a staple at previous festivals, an emphasis was placed this
year on making the festival "Zero Waste," yet another
way to continue to promote a more environmentally sustainable
city.
"This is the first time we've done a zero waste festival,"
said Aaron Paley, an event organizer for Community Arts Resources,
which manages the festival.
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| Ecologically-friendly
City Fleet vehicles |
From solar-powered generators electrifying musical instruments
on two stages, to an array of ecologically-friendly City Fleet
vehicles on site for touring, valet bike parking and islands
of recycling and waste bins positioned throughout the park,
the festival aimed to live up to the City's progressive and
green reputation.
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| Percussionist bangs on bins |
"It won't be completely zero waste, but mostly and we're
following the principle," said Paley. "I think it's
a great way to inform people on the environment."
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