Southern California is a great place to live! This is especially true if you enjoy Arts and Craft Fairs. This area is blessed with wonderful weather to enjoy outdoor fairs and festivals all fall long. The biggest of them all is the Sawdust Festival in Laguna Beach, CA. Marking its 45th year the Sawdust Festival runs June 24th through August 28th, open daily 10 to 10. It features around 200 artists, crafters and food vendors in a lovely green setting. Located at 935 Laguna Canyon Road Laguna Beach CA, 92651 Try this link to http://www.sawdustfestival.org Admission is $7.75 for adults.
In the wonderful community of Julian CA an event to see is Town Hall Crafters Fall Arts and Crafts Show. October 1st to 30th 10 AM to 4 PM at Town Hall in Julian. While Julian is worth the trip for great pies, and daffodils in spring, it’s also a great way to relish a fall day.
North you will find an ongoing street fair with food crafts, music and vendors of all types in the luminous city of Palm Springs CA. In October the Palm Springs Village Fest becomes a gathering place for visitors and locals alike. This busy, bustling event is every Thursday night 6PM to 10 PM October through May on Palm Canyon Drive Between Baristo and Amado Admission here is free. The people watching and high energy feel makes this a must do for everyone.
East you’ll find Idyllwild CA and Idyllwild Jazz in the Pines. The downtown area is an arts and crafts bonanza. Late August part the forest is transformed into a land of Jazz music and elegant pathways of talented artists showing the world what a fair should look like!. This magic occurs August 26th to 27th at the Idyllwild Arts Academy 52500 Temecula Rd. It is a fundraiser for the benefit of student scholarships to the Academy. The patron’s dinner dance on Friday the 26th parking and both days of the festival are included in the $250.00 admission. (Remember it is a fundraiser). Go fall in love with Idyllwild. Link http://www.idyllwildjazz.com
Now go east to the architecturally rich town of Redlands. Nestled between Victorian homes and more recent ones is Art For Heaven’s Sake. In October the Art Festival Committee members at the Redlands United Church of Christ has the best arts and crafts fair of all. It is a three day festival including 60+ artists. Many are very good, some outstanding! I make a point of going to this one. There are watercolors, oils, woodwork, metalwork, pottery and yes Quilts and Jewelry and Stained Glass. One of my favorites is Photographer Karen Coats, she brings a vibrancy so lacking in many works. Admittance is free. October 14th 7PM to 10PM, 15th 10AM to 5PM, and 16th 11:30AM to 5PM. 168 Bellevue Ave. Redlands. Link http://www.artforheavenssake.org/ for more info.
Sources: Becky Basham Bomgardner at Idyllwild Arts Academy, Blakely Burns at Sawdust Festival,
Jasmine N. Watts V.F. Coordinator Palm Springs Parks and Recreation Department, Zora Martinez Julian Chamber of Commerce, and Sondra Hodson Redlands United Church of Christ’s Art Festival Committee.