For Immediate Release
October 10, 2008
“A SEASON OF DREAMS” AT THE 2008 WINTER FANTASY
(2008 Winter Fantasy opens four weekends: November 22 – December 14)
Laguna Beach, CA – The 2008 Winter Fantasy, “A Season of Dreams,” begins Saturday, November 22 at the Sawdust Art Festival. Visitors from everywhere are
invited to experience this one-of-a-kind holiday event over four weekends:
- November 22, 23
- November 27, 28, 29
- December 6, 7
- December 13, 14
The 8th annual Community Tree Lighting Ceremony, now a Laguna Beach tradition begins at 5:30 p.m. opening day, when Laguna Beach Mayor Jane Egly will formally light the community tree, kicking off our official 2008 holiday season. To help celebrate the opening event, special guests and community performers, including the Laguna Community Concert Band, Top of the World Honors Chorus, ‘Lil Dickens Carolers, Balloon Diva and Santa, will entertain the Sawdust crowd. Holiday cookies and apple cider will be provided during the opening ceremony, compliments of the local Trader Joe’s at Crystal Cove. Laguna Beach residents are admitted free with ID after 3 p.m.
opening day. On the festival grounds guests can discover the artwork and creativity of 175 talented artists and craftspeople, many of which have traveled from out of town to exhibit in this winter show. These featured Winter Fantasy artisans provide guests with a rare chance to enjoy holiday shopping for all, as each art piece is handcrafted and cannot be found in ordinary shopping malls. Original fine art and handcrafted gift items at the Winter Fantasy include a variety of media, including art glass, ceramics, jewelry, clothing, paintings, musical instruments, gourds, photography, mixed media and more. Visitors will see art created before their eyes in the artists’ booths and at our world-class Glass Blowing Booth as well as have the opportunity to personally create their own masterpieces at the Mud Hut, Sawdust Studio and Children’s Art Spot. Not only are the artists and artwork at the Winter Fantasy unique, but the holiday ambiance of the festival grounds is also distinctive. In addition to the 175 handconstructed art booths, visitors will also find elaborate holiday decorations, lively entertainment, great cafes and our classic Towne Square. Towne Square features visits with Santa Claus from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. Falling snow, decorated Community Trees, and the Holiday Children’s Playhouse make for great photo ops. This year’s Sawdust ArtisTree will be featured in the center of Towne Square and as part of the ArtisTree Ornament Fundraiser, representing the Sawdust’s commitment to artists and art education. All Winter Fantasy artists have been asked to donate handmade original ornaments for the Sawdust ArtisTree. These ornaments may be purchased through the Sawdust Information Booth, with all monies raised from the ornament sales contributing directly to the Sawdust’s Art Education Fund. Guests can also participate in the special community events planned for this year, including Toys for Tots, a foundation supported by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. With a mission of collecting toys to distribute as Christmas gifts to needy children in the community, visitors to the Winter Fantasy can show their support by contributing new unwrapped toys for children, newborn to age 17, while also meeting in-person the Marines on the festival grounds.
The 18th Annual Winter Fantasy at the Sawdust Art Festival runs for four weekends: November 22 & 23, November 28, 29 & 30, December 6 & 7 and December 13 & 14. Hours are 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Adult admission is $6; Seniors $5, age 65 and up; $3 for children age 6-12; children under five years of age are free; and $9 for a Season Pass. The festival is located at the Sawdust Art Festival, 935 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, CA 92651. For additional information, please visit www.sawdustartfestival.org or call 949-494-3030.
and promoting the art created in Laguna Beach.
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