Walking in a Winter Fantasy

Not yet as widely known as the summer Sawdust Festival, the Winter Fantasy is nonetheless drawing larger crowds every year to a splendid holiday art event and alternative to cookie-cutter shopping for the holidays.

“The show is really fun and everyone is in such a good mood,” Sawdust President March Scott said.

Exhibitors and VIPS celebrated Saturday at a private party, followed by the public opening day ceremonies.

Guests at the party included City Councilwoman Cheryl Kinsman; Festival of Arts President Anita Mangels, board member Fred Sattler, Public Relations and Marketing Director Sharbie Higuchi, her husband, Darren and their children, Sophie and Sean; artist Lu Campbell and Festival of Arts Foundation Board member John Campbell; Sawdust Festival board members Eleanor Tiner, city Arts Manager Sian Poeschl and Dennis Junka; arts commission chairman Michael Taub; and Laguna Beach Concert Band founder Carol Reynolds, who snatched a few moments while the band’s Swing Set performed but didn’t stay long enough to meet up with her daughter, exhibitor Patti Jo Kiraly.

Rebecca Barber helped organize the party, catered by Stalker Foods of Laguna Beach.

Two spectacular trees were displayed.

Staff event coordinator Lynne Powell, exhibitor Ket Youngstead and secret elf, Gary Spellman, decorated the trees, one with blue baubles, the other decked out in purple.

“They spend months planning the trees,” said Junka, whose fondness for purple was evident in his booth decorations and the wreath he created for an auction that will raise funds for the Winter Fantasy Educational Fund.

Bonnie Leigh, Arlyth Atkinson, Shannon Sybirski, Shari Vogt, Patricia Mezaros, Carmen Flores, Sherry Bullard, Mary Murray, Christi Freisen, John Barber, Judy Kearby, Jim Chen, Louise Proppe and Rosemarie Rossi also contributed wreaths. The one-of-a-kind wreaths will be displayed at the creators’ booths. Bids will be accepted until nearly the closing hour of the show.

The party was followed by opening day ceremonies that drew a large audience to the town square, where Santa House is located, surrounded by trees decorated by community groups.

The Top of the World Honors Chorus warmed up the crowd with their songs, including a takeoff of “Winter Wonderland,” written by festival office assistant Dolores Castro Colin.

Trolleys ring.

Are you listening?

On the beach,

Water’s glistening.

What a sight!

We’re happy tonight.

Walking at the Winter Fantasy.

Gone away is the summer,

But, it’s not a real bummer.

We’re singing a song

As we walk along,

Shopping at the Winter Fantasy.

You get the idea.

Mayor Elizabeth Pearson-Schneider greeted guests who had gathered under the faux snow storm in front of Santa’s House.

Awards were presented to the Boys and Girls Club, the Festival of Arts and the Chamber of Commerce for the best decorated trees by a community group; to exhibitors Younstead, Julie Schall and Junka for the best holiday-decorated booths; and to Missy Ballard, Katherine Kiss and Spence and Mary Hurlbut in the new category of best combination of booth decorations and contents.

Santa Claus signaled the lighting of the Winter Fantasy tree, which will be auctioned on closing day, Dec. 10. Bidding begins at $100.

Kudos also to the “Artic Cave,” created by exhibitor Ryan Gourley, and the tiny oriental garden tucked between booths designed by Hooker Earrings inventor Barbara Barnett and Sawdust comptroller John Youngstead.

Other volunteers included artist Hedy Buzan and Marissa Martin in the demonstration booth.

“We have something to do for everyone,” Buzan said.

Mollie Bing is the staff demo manager. Jan Sattler is the board liaison.

Board members Scott, Sattler, Junka, Poeschl and Donita Lloyd are among the 170 artists and crafts people who are exhibiting their work at the festival.

Junka also serves on the Winter Fantasy Committee, along with exhibitors Barnett, Youngstead and David Nelson and staff members Powell, Meekma, Colin and Jennifer Tye.

“I don’t know which hat I have on today,” said Junka, who also is the president of the Chamber of Commerce.