Community Center
17222 South Pacific Ave. and along the Greenbelt
Sunset Beach, CA 90742
sunsetbeachca.org
 Sponsor questions: (714) 335-5034

Sunset Beach Art Festival is a free admission event celebrating 45 years in 2012. Always held on Mother's Day Weekend, the festival includes bands, art exhibits, vendor booths, food booths and raffles for items. The festival is hosted by Las Damas, a women's nonprofit club in Sunset Beach that does good deeds through funds raised for special causes.

At this art festival and flea market, vendors sell hats, art, clothing, tables, vases, soaps, jewelry and other items. Many of the vendors can be found at other weekly events such as the Farmer's Markets in Huntington Beach on Fridays or Alamitos Landing parking lot in Long Beach on weekends.

 The highlight of the festival is a handmade quilt, sewn by members of the community and Las Damas. It features multiple squares designed to resemble events, landmarks, and business in the community. Raffle tickets are available at the festival for $5. You do not have to be present to win.

 Kids Zone features activities a Kid's Talent Show, face painting by Tasha, caricature by Jon, and artisan booths showing kid's clothing, etc. Located in front of the Firehouse on 12th street, the Kids Zone will also have a free booth for children to create their own handmade masterpiece for Mom. For Talent show applications email sbtalentshow@gmail.com on or before April 30th.

Those seeking to sell their wares or sell art at the event need to apply for an exhibit booth long before the event is held. The public parking can be challenging as greenbelt spaces are limited. If you have a state beach parking pass, it is quite easy to park at Bolsa Chica State Beach and walk less than one block over to the event. Parking in that lot is $15 for those who don't mind paying the fee.

With the beach just steps from the Sunset Beach greenbelt, the festival is ideal for families who want to shop, look at art, and go to the beach.  However, if you are seeking a day at the beach, since parking is impacted during the Art Festival, you may want to consider alternatives.

The funds raised at this event support charities for the mentally ill, homeless families, and shelter for at-risk teenagers. They also support the art programs in the seven local schools in Seal Beach, Los Alamitos and Huntington Beach. In addition, a portion of the proceeds is used to create continuing education grants for local residents.