Fantasies to reality

Winter Fantasy organizers’ dreams were exceeded beyond anything they imagined as the opening day crowd was up more than 40% from last year.

The 17th annual holiday show opened Saturday, featuring entertainment and 170 artists, in seasonally decorated booths on the Sawdust Festival Grounds.

“Guests walk in and fall in love with everything — the art, the decorations, the wonderful holiday feeling and, especially, this year’s standout, the Magic Castle by Ryan Gourley at the entrance,” said Winter Fantasy exhibitor and volunteer Dennis Junka.

Mayor Toni Iseman joined Santa Claus for opening-day ceremonies, which included lighting the Sawdust Artists-decorated tree in Town Square.

The one-of-a-kind ornaments on the tree were created by exhibitors, including John Barber, Barry Farley, Jill Jacobs, Christopher Jeffries, Amy Kaplan, Judy Kearby, Patti Klingenmeier, Sandra Kobrin, Sue Linder, David Nelson, Rosemarie Rossi and Michael Thortensen. The ornaments are for sale through the Sawdust Information Booth. Proceeds will benefit the Sawdust Art Education Fund.

The nonprofit festival is dedicated to promoting art created in the Laguna Beach community, said Sawdust spokeswoman Rebecca Meekma.

Iseman also announced the winners of the friendly competitions for three best-decorated booths and community trees.

Katherine Kiss won first prize for her fantastic booth. Second place went to Junka. Missy Belland’s whimsical booth took third place.

Fourteen local nonprofit organizations decorated trees on the festival grounds.

“All of the groups that participated showed a true love of community, and I personally saw them all having a blast decorating their trees,” Meekma said.

Soroptimists of Laguna Beach won the competition, followed by the Boys and Girls Club entry. The CSP Youth Shelter tree came in third.

The American Legion Auxiliary, Brownie Troops 308 and 834, Daisy Troop 717, Cub Scout Pack 38, Festival of Arts, First Thursday Art Walk, Help Blue Water Now, Laguna Beach Parents Club, Laguna Presbyterian Pre-School and the Chamber of Commerce also entered trees in the competition.

“All of the decorations on the chamber tree are recycled,” said chamber executive director Rose Hancock.

While parents are tramping around the trees or browsing the booths, children can visit the Holiday Playhouse to play games of make-believe, confide in Santa Claus from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. in his cozy cabin or romp in the real snow, made daily.

Art activities for adults and children include personal instruction at the potter’s wheel at the Ceramics Booth, craft projects for youngsters ages 3 to 8 at the Children’s Art Spot, and a variety of projects for all ages at the Sawdust Studio.

While the glass-blowing demonstrations are a perennial must-see at the festival, “Winter Walkabouts” are a new feature this year.

The free, guided, behind-the-scenes tours will begin at the Poinsettia Tree in the Town Square at noon Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays.

The 17th Winter Fantasy will run for three more weekends; this weekend, Dec. 1 and 2, and 8 and 9 on the Sawdust Festival Grounds, 939 Laguna Canyon Road. Show hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Admission is $5.75 for adults, $3 for children 6 to 12, and free for children 5 and younger.

For more information visit www.SawdustArtFestival.org, which has a complete listing of all Winter Fantasy activities and entertainment, or call (949) 494-3030.