The La Jolla Village Merchants Association is lending its support, both verbally and in writing, to the upcoming 16th annual La Jolla Art & Wine Festival.
The LJVMA board voted unanimously at its July 10 meeting to sign a letter of support for the event, which will be staged Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 28-29, along Girard Avenue and some connecting streets.
Art enthusiasts will have the opportunity at the festival to explore and acquire pieces from more than 160 artists from across the United States, Mexico and beyond. Artists will present their works in an array of media, including painting, sculpture, jewelry, glass, ceramics, woodwork, mixed media and photography. The Wine & Beer Garden will feature more than 35 international wineries, local craft breweries and distilleries, and local food vendors will provide tastes of their offerings.
The only change from past years is when the streets will be closed. Road closures will begin the Friday before the event, said organizer Laurel McFarlane, but unlike in the past, the section of Girard Avenue between Wall and Silverado streets will be closed at noon to set up the Wine & Beer Garden. The rest of the street will be closed at 3 p.m.
McFarlane said all affected merchants on Girard Avenue will be notified at least 30 days before the event so they can plan accordingly and notify employees not to park there.
Board member Katey Longo said she was pleased that businesses would be notified because during a past “Porches on Prospect” event held in conjunction with the spring Concours d’Elegance car show, an “astronomical” number of cars were towed.
“That’s pretty detrimental,” she said. “I think it leaves a really bad taste, so I’m glad you are [taking steps] so people know.”
Art & Wine Festival founder Sherry Ahern said that when cars are parked on the street when the closure is in effect, she tries to track down the owners at surrounding buildings so they don’t get towed.
Proceeds from the festival will support San Diego Unified School District programs and initiatives at La Jolla’s public schools. The event has raised more than $1.2 million since its inception.
“When I started [the festival], it was to bring art back to La Jolla,” Ahern said. “La Jolla was an artists colony … and it seems like we have kind of lost that. Plus, I wanted to do something for the community … so we’re bringing art, wine, beer, spirits, something for everyone, and it’s giving money to kids.”
Admission is free, but tickets are required for the Wine & Beer Garden. Find out more at ljawf.com.
Other LJVMA news
Sidewalk vendors: Referring to sellers who have set up shop on Village sidewalks, LJVMA Executive Director Jodi Rudick suggested that people who see that type of vending use the city of San Diego’s Get It Done app to report it.
Recently, a pop-up shop has been seen vending from a table on sidewalks around The Village, sometimes in front of other businesses.
“As you saw, when [many] vendors were [removed] from the parks, they innovatively came into The Village,” Rudick said. “If you have seen some of the other parts of the city, like Ocean Beach and [Pacific Beach], it’s really a crisis.”
San Diego allows roaming and stationary vendors to use the public right of way or public property for sidewalk vending, provided the seller obtains a permit and obeys health and safety regulations. This includes the sale of art, food, clothing and souvenirs from a pushcart, pedal-driven cart, wagon, rack or another non-motorized method.
However, the city’s 2022 sidewalk vending ordinance does not allow a stationary or roaming vendor to sell within 15 feet of any building entrance.
“The Get It Done app is the way to go,” Rudick said. “We need to nip it in the bud as soon as we see those sidewalk vendors.”
Next meeting: The La Jolla Village Merchants Association next meets at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 14, at the La Jolla/Riford Library, 7555 Draper Ave. Learn more at lajollabythesea.com. ♦
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