San Diegans may not be aware that some elementary schools in La Jolla are not provided with funding for music, arts, or physical education programs. School nurses, necessary technology, and librarians are often left out of budgets as well. For this reason, among many others, the 9th annual La Jolla Art and Wine Festival will be held on Oct. 7 and 8. All proceeds from this event will go to La Jolla schools.
“As of the 8th year, we raised more than $900,000,” said festival chair Sherry Ahern. “I’m certain that this year, we will easily break $1 million.”
Festivities will be held in an open-air fashion, with artists lined up “back-to-back” from Girard Avenue to Prospect Street In total, 165 artists will be showcasing their work.
For those 21 and older, there will be a beer garden, replete with Stone, Lagunitas, Sierra Nevada and Knotty Barrel breweries. Also, wines from Valle de Guadalupe (Northern Baja), California and France will be readily available. Because, how could an art festival exist without wine? The craft beer and wine tent will be open from noon to 7 p.m. on Oct. 7 and noon to 6 p.m. on Oct. 8. Single beer or wine tasting tickets cost $4 each, or $20 for a six-pack of tickets.
There will also be a stage providing live music throughout the entirety of the festival. A silent auction will be held, with many “unbelievable items,” according to Ahern.
“This is truly an event for everyone,” said Ahern. “Since programs are not fully funded for the schools, the fundraising efforts fall on the parents. While the schools completely own the festival now, it takes an amazing group of our friends, volunteers and a few paid employees to make everything happen. Without their, and parents’ efforts, the festival would not prove nearly as fruitful as it has.”
Ahern continued that, in the past, she was asked: “What makes this art festival so unique?” “I have two words for you,” Ahern replied. “La Jolla.”
She added that parking will not be an issue for the event, as free parking will be available at Bank of America, Muirlands Middle School, and La Jolla High School. Shuttles will be running every 20 minutes from these locations. Valet parking will be located on Kline Street and Girard Avenue.
Unlike other festivals, the La Jolla Art and Wine festival is 100 percent dog-friendly. Down Girard Avenue, many rescue dogs, which were displaced by Hurricane Harvey, will be present for adoption. For children, Geppetto’s has sponsored an interactive area as well. Ahern added that there will be “prices and art for everyone” at this year’s event. “It’s truly amazing what this community is capable of,” she said. “This year will certainly provide an example of that once again.”
For more information, visit www.ljawf.com.