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A Look Behind The Curtain of Pageant of the Masters in Laguna Beach!

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Last Tuesday, SoCal Field Trips was invited to a media event to take a look behind the scenes of the 2015 Pageant of the Masters season in Laguna Beach, California.  I know as a local, you may pass by the pageant every summer on the way to Laguna and wonder why it is so popular?  Why would you want to go?  I mean, isn’t it “just” another art festival?   The answer is no, not at all!   When you enter the pageant facilities, you will soon discover what you have been missing out on all along.

The Pageant of the Masters held its first festival in 1932 and the following year offered the very first pageant. It has been an annual event ever since, other than during the war years between 1942 and 1945. Each year treats us to a new and unique theme intended to delight and expand your mind. The 2015 theme is entitled "The Pursuit of Happiness".

The Pageant of the Masters held its first festival in 1932 and the following year offered the very first pageant.  It has been an annual event ever since, other than during the war years between 1942 and 1945.  Each year treats us to a new and unique theme intended to delight and expand your mind.  The 2015 theme is entitled “The Pursuit of Happiness”.

The Pageant of the Masters held its first festival in 1932 and the following year offered the very first pageant. It has been an annual event ever since, other than during the war years between 1942 and 1945. Each year treats us to a new and unique theme intended to delight and expand your mind. The 2015 theme is entitled "The Pursuit of Happiness".

Upon arriving at the Laguna Beach Festival of Arts, you will be greeted with a brand new facade and entryway to the Festival of Arts that has already won awards before it has even opened.

The Pageant of the Masters held its first festival in 1932 and the following year offered the very first pageant. It has been an annual event ever since, other than during the war years between 1942 and 1945. Each year treats us to a new and unique theme intended to delight and expand your mind. The 2015 theme is entitled "The Pursuit of Happiness".

The new home for the Pageant of the Masters is not just any building plunked down in the middle of a beach town.  Instead it is a beautiful design that echoes the natural beauty that surrounds it.

As I entered the 5.6 acre facility that is owned by City of Laguna Beach, and leased to the festival since 1941, I considered the idea presented by Marketing and Public Relations Director, Sharbie Higuchi. Sharbie shared that “the Festival of Arts is the place to be this summer” and that “There’s something for everyone this year”.

Programs include artists demonstrations, art workshops, child centered daily art activities, guided art tours, jazz concerts, special events and the opportunity for wine and chocolate tasting featuring Kendall-Jackson wines.  Please note that there is a small fee for the tasting and art workshops.

The Pageant of the Masters held its first festival in 1932 and the following year offered the very first pageant. It has been an annual event ever since, other than during the war years between 1942 and 1945. Each year treats us to a new and unique theme intended to delight and expand your mind. The 2015 theme is entitled "The Pursuit of Happiness".

The centerpiece of Pageant of The Masters is the live performance in which a team of over 500 volunteers and employees quite literally bring paintings to life!

The Pageant of the Masters held its first festival in 1932 and the following year offered the very first pageant. It has been an annual event ever since, other than during the war years between 1942 and 1945. Each year treats us to a new and unique theme intended to delight and expand your mind. The 2015 theme is entitled "The Pursuit of Happiness".

The Pageant of the Masters held its first festival in 1932 and the following year offered the very first pageant. It has been an annual event ever since, other than during the war years between 1942 and 1945. Each year treats us to a new and unique theme intended to delight and expand your mind. The 2015 theme is entitled "The Pursuit of Happiness".

Together they contribute more than 60,000 hours to costume and scenery design, grounds maintenance, and all manners of creating and executing an event that is voted as “one of the top five art festivals in the nation.”

The Pageant of the Masters held its first festival in 1932 and the following year offered the very first pageant. It has been an annual event ever since, other than during the war years between 1942 and 1945. Each year treats us to a new and unique theme intended to delight and expand your mind. The 2015 theme is entitled "The Pursuit of Happiness".

During the outdoor amphitheater show, which runs from July 8 to August 31, 2015, your eyes will be treated to ninety minutes of living pictures (tableaux vivants), orchestra music, and live narration.

As these tableaux are presented to the audience I hear comments of “This alone was worth the trip.” and “Amazing” as well as wonderment at the fact that these are real people made to look like part of a painting.  This is no less fascinating when considering that the youngest cast member is just 4 years old and the oldest is in the late 80s.

The Pageant of the Masters held its first festival in 1932 and the following year offered the very first pageant. It has been an annual event ever since, other than during the war years between 1942 and 1945. Each year treats us to a new and unique theme intended to delight and expand your mind. The 2015 theme is entitled "The Pursuit of Happiness".

I strongly encourage everyone to attend this famous Southern California attraction that promises to carry you “on a sentimental journey through depictions of pastimes and activities that gave people joy long before the computer age.”

A pageant ticket acts as a season pass to The Festival of Arts too.  Advanced tickets are currently on sale for $15 to $230.

You might also consider purchasing a season pass to Art-A-Fair! (affiliate link)

Art-A-Fair is a unique experience in and of itself.  A summer staple of Laguna Beach since 1966, Art-A-Fair corrals creative works from around the world, unfurling them across the apropos, color-splashed gardens of Laguna Canyon.  Festival visitors meander leisurely through the web of imagination, stopping to soak up content that is as rich in quality as it is in diversity.  Between brush strokes and spontaneous games of frisbee with their palette, working artists take a breather to chat about their pieces and the inspirations that drive their craft.  From year to year, the festival features a wide spectrum of 2- and 3-D art, and, should one of those gems seduce the heart of a passerby, everything at the festival is available for purchase.  This year’s Art-A-Fair kicks off June 26 and concludes on August 30.

Children aged 12 and younger receive FREE admission to Art-A-Fair when accompanied by an adult.  Adult season passes are currently available for only $4 per person on Groupon!

On site dining is also available at Tivoli Terrace and Gina’s Alfresco.  The atmosphere is quaint yet spacious at the same time, service is terrific and the food has received rave reviews.

Have a great time at this year’s Pageant of the Masters and Art-A-Fair!

Happy Field Tripping,

Dr. Elise Cohen Ho

Dr. Elise Cohen Ho is a Natural Health & Lifestyle Therapist, mother of three children aged 20, 18 and 16, and experienced youth coach and counselor. She understands the difficulties and the joys of helping children, and their families, on the journey to adulthood and is truly passionate about encouraging parents to build loving, trusting relationships with their children. Visit Elise at www.elisecohenho.com where she shares Natural Health News, recipes and tips and ideas for building healthy relationships and a healthy lifestyle.