Abbot Kinney Festival's photostream  

Founded in 1984, the Abbot Kinney Festival is an annual community event that celebrates the tradition of Venice as a unique and diverse community and pays homage to its founder, Abbot Kinney.

In 1989, the festival's organizing group established itself as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, serving the community at large. Managed by a volunteer Board of Directors, the Abbot Kinney Festival Association has contributed funding towards numerous local youth and beautification projects, including planting the palm trees that line Abbot Kinney Boulevard, providing playground equipment to Westminster School, and offering support to local projects and organizations such as Inside Out Community Arts, Venice Arts, Venice Mural Restoration and the Venice Family Clinic.

Over the years, the Abbot Kinney Festival has grown tremendously. The free event extends the one-mile stretch of Abbot Kinney Blvd. from Venice Blvd. to Main St. (including most side streets) and attracts nearly 150,000 people. Visitors enjoy KidsQuad, over 300 artisan exhibitors, three live music stages, and diverse food choices.

In 2007, the festival began the journey of "Going Green" and continues to look for ways to lessen its impact on the environment. Organizers strive to produce a zero-waste event.

Photos on this site were taken by Lorenzo Belmonte lorenzobelmonte.com/