By Lookout Staff

October 12, 2010 -- Art pavilions, a classic car show and a sidewalk sale are just some of what will be happening along the three-mile stretch of Pico Boulevard in Santa Monica Saturday for the fifth annual Pico Festival. The event, hosted by the Pico Improvement Organization (PIO) and the City of Santa Monica, will take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The festival will benefit Project Lemon-Aid, which raises money for the Santa Monica-Malibu Education Foundation fund “For The Arts,” an endowment that provides arts education for local students. Also, a special fundraiser will take place at the festival’s Classic Car Show to benefit Cody Williams, the Santa Monica High School linebacker, who sustained serious spinal injuries in a game last season.

The art pavilions at Virginia Avenue Park will feature original works in all media. It will also include a chance for children to participate by watching new works being produced or making their own creations. Live music will include groups from Samohi, Santa Monica College and other local schools. Pico stores will showcase their wares in booths, and food vendors will offer various options. The PIO will provide free hot dogs to the first 1,000 visitors beginning at 1 p.m.

The Classic Car Show will include 50 custom cars at the SGI parking lot at the 26th Street intersection. Pico Auto businesses will have booths and musical entertainment will be provided by a DJ and a mariachi band. A new feature of this year’s festival will be a “Bowl, Bike and Ski Triathlon,” with more details to come.

Two double-decker buses with guides will operate along the street, directing passengers to various sites and events. Visitors will be able to stop to see artists exhibiting their work at various locations along Pico. The street’s galleries and studios will be open and several will be demonstrating artistic and creative techniques.

A number of Pico Restaurants will offer special tastings and coupons and many merchants will offer activities and events that will continue past 4 p.m. A sidewalk sale will take place at various locations. Participating Stores will have racks and tables with merchandise on the sidewalk and some merchants will have their entire stores on sale.

For more information, go to www.picopassport.com or Pico Festival on Facebook. As in the past Pico Festivals there will be painting/drawing and photo contests that pay cash prizes and are open to the public. For photo requirements contact Marissa Lopez at lafoto@lafoto.info or for painting requirements, contact Randy Ball at dovetailframer@verizon.net.