Winter Fantasy, presented by Sawdust Art Festival, is celebrating its 25th year with special activities and, as always, an opportunity to buy gifts of handmade art for family and friends. The festival runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends through Dec. 20.
The event was started in 1991 by festival artists seeking another venue to sell their work around the holidays. While Sawdust’s summer installment presents more than 200 Laguna artists, the winter version lifts the residency restriction, bringing more than 175 artists from across the country to sell paintings, photography, sculpture, clothing, jewelry, glassware, woodwork and other mediums.
Art demonstrations, classes for children and adults as well as a petting zoo and visits by Santa Claus can all be found at the festival, along with snow machines that sporadically send fresh powder fluttering into the air for a magical experience in the Towne Square, a winter wonderland complete with Santa’s house, decorated trees and live entertainment.
Special for the 25th edition, a miniature mechanical train has been set up for viewing. Children who visit Santa receive a special coloring book with drawings by Sawdust artists, and vendors sell an array of lunch and dinner items plus treats like hot cocoa, coffee, fresh pastries and popcorn to celebrate the season.
-Written by Sharon Stello
