"Fisk, who owned the former home goods boutique Shop Morpheus, and Herbert, who had just opened The Gym Venice, were independently brainstorming ways to get people back together in fun and safe ways after being cooped up at home. After being connected by mutual friends, the duo came up with the idea of an outdoor festival that could bring neighbors face to face again."
"When the first Venice Fest launched in November 2021, about 50 vendors set up booths and roughly 200 people came through. They considered it a success. "Nothing like that had really been done around Mar Vista before," Fisk says. Now more than 20,000 people typically make their way to the festival, which happens three times a year. And in the process of building this unique movement, another unexpected connection was made: Fisk and Herbert fell in love, married and just celebrated their daughter's first birthday."
"This Saturday's Venice Winter Fest, a holiday incarnation of the event blending retro ski lodge aesthetics with a surfside atmosphere, will include thousands of one-of-a-kind holiday finds from SoCal makers, along with food vendors, live music, a beer garden, free fitness classes, kid activities - oh, and an announcement."
Venice Fest began in Mar Vista as an intimate block party and expanded into a major Westside festival and showcase for local creatives. Founders Sarah Fisk and Kristopher Herbert launched the festival to rally communities during the pandemic, combining Fisk’s home-goods experience and Herbert’s gym ownership to create an outdoor, safe gathering. The first event in November 2021 featured about 50 vendors and roughly 200 attendees; current festivals draw over 20,000 people and occur three times a year. Venice Winter Fest blends retro ski-lodge aesthetics with a surfside vibe, offering SoCal holiday goods, food, live music, fitness classes, kids’ activities, and a beer garden. The festival will move to the Venice Beach sign next year.
Read at Los Angeles Times
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