The 23rd Abbot Kinney Festival


Sunday, Sept. 30 was a beautiful day in Venice. By 10 am, a tent city had sprouted from Brooks Avenue to Venice Blvd.


As on 6 pm, three times the 40,000 population of Venice had visited the Festival, according to organizers. There were more than 300 arts and crafts booths – and a sprinkling of Venice nonprofits – along Abbot Kinney Blvd. There was a children’s area with rides in the Westminster school playground, next to the boulevard. And for the first time, the Festival was green. Food vendors were required to use corn-based plates, cuts and cutlery. Bio-degradable bags were given out to other booths to hold purchases.

Musicians held forth at three stages, one run by the Temple Bar which featured bands from Brazil, Argentina and Cambodia. Another stage spotlighted Venice artists.

The Abbot Kinney District Association was still counting the revenue at press time, however, according to Cecilia Najar, one of the organizers, the Festival usually takes in from $10 - 20,000 after expenses. Inside-Out Arts receives some of the money, and Venice nonprofits are invited to submit grant proposals for funding.

“There were lots of dogs and families this year,” said Najar. “Venice seems to have grown up.”
(see page six for more photos)

Posted: Mon - October 1, 2007 at 08:28 PM          


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