You should visit the Laguna Beach festivals before they close for the season. They need it.
We visited the Festival of Arts (FOA) on a recent Sunday afternoon, and it was a ghost town. By contrast, the Sawdust had much more traffic with artists saying business is picking up after a brutal COVID year.
Regardless of the numbers, the art is still the art. The FOA offerings this year are pretty outstanding. There are some of the usual players but several newcomers with compelling art every time you turn around.
The Sawdust has finally managed to infuse some new blood, which was sorely needed. There are fewer overall artists, which actually makes the customer experience better because it’s not so crowded.
Unfortunately, the way the Sawdust treats Laguna locals is mindboggling. They eliminated Locals Night, so it’s full rate for residents, $10.
The FOA, meanwhile, allows Laguna residents free admission. Why the difference? We don’t know.
Residents help drive business. We have friends and family who visit. We play tour guide and buy beers at the Sawdust, maybe catch a band. Do we think twice now if we have to pay like a tourist? Probably.
The Festival of Arts ends Sept. 3. The Sawdust Festival ends Sept. 5
