Wild! Celebs invade festival

Several Hollywood stars will be on hand to meet with their fans from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Festival of Arts.

But don’t expect to see Johnny Depp and Keira Knightley there. These stars aren’t so easy to spot.

But when you see a capuchin monkey, kinkajou, hedgehog, wallaby, binturong, serval cat, kookaburra, albino Burmese python, and three baboons at the festival -- all escorted by their handlers, of course ? you can rest assured they have showbiz resumes.

The festival’s “Walk on the Wild Side” will present exotic animals that have appeared on The Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, The Disney Channel and “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.”

Also, there will be a large selection of insects from South America, Australia and Africa, including giant black millipedes, giant cockroaches and rose hair tarantula.

Festival-goers will be encouraged to try their hands at being wildlife artists and enjoy the sounds of a Caribbean steel drum band.

A highlight of the day will be the work of festival exhibitor and underwater photographer Bruce Rasner, who will show a multimedia presentation featuring his travels and artwork in the Forum Theatre.

Rasner has photographed for 18 years all over the world, including the South Pacific, Red Sea, Indian Ocean, northern Norway and Patagonia.

Although he has photographed marine life from killer whales to tiny crustaceans, he focuses on the patterns, colors, design elements and textures found on very small sections of marine life, he said.

“I hope people will gain an appreciation for our oceans, the wildlife that is found there and my particular work that exhibited at the festival,” Rasner said.

The event is free with Festival of Arts admission, which is $7 for general admission and $4 for seniors and students. All general admission tickets also serve as season passes. Laguna Beach residents with identification, children under 12 and Pageant of the Masters ticket-holders receive free admission.

The Festival of Arts is at 650 Laguna Canyon Road. For more information, visit www.foapom.com.cpt.14-wildside-baboon-CPhotoInfo3P1STRTM20060714j2blq9ncCredit: Photo courtesy the Festival of Arts Caption: (LA)This baby baboon will visit the Festival of Arts on Saturday.