Festival leader exits the stage

David Young, 93, to step down from board of directors after more than half a century of volunteer service to Laguna arts.The retirement of David Young from the Festival of Arts board of directors leaves a hole that will be hard to fill.

Young, 93, served on the board for more than 50 years, with just a brief hiatus to protest a proposed relocation of the festival to San Clemente. He served as board president five times. The festival announced his retirement last week.

“It’s been his life,” said his wife, Mary.