Spirit of Abbot Kinney Lives at the 15th Annual Festival

Sasha Stone

Mirror staff writer

   Sunday, September 12, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Abbot Kinney Boulevard
The Abbot Kinney District Association will revive the artistic spirit and enthusiasm of Venice founder Abbot Kinney when it holds its 15th annual Abbot Kinney festival on Sunday, September 12th. 
   The festival, dedicated to celebrating "the diversity of the unique Venice community" will close Abbot Kinney Boulevard from Venice Boulevard to Main Street to make room for the more than 100 arts, crafts, food and community booths to tickle the fancy of festival goers of every age and stripe. An all-day event from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., the festival celebrates the achievements of Abbot Kinney, who "founded Venice to provide an environment to foster a cultural renaissance in America,"says Venice Poet Laureate and AKDA Officer John Kertisz.
   A special children's court will be available for the amusement and entertainment of children. 
   Non-stop, live entertainment will be provided by local bands set up on two stages located at Palms and Westminster. The biggest musical draw is the appropriately-named band "Venice," with other notable bands like Luna 4, Codigo Secreto and Led Zeppagain cranking outtunes. 
   Venice, which David Crosby calls "the best vocal group in the country,” is well-known for their wild four-part harmonies, which is what one might expect from cousins and younger brothers of the Lennon Sisters and the sons of the 1940s group the Lennon Brothers. 
   A special awards ceremony will be held on the Palms stage, the Spirit of Venice Award being given to Diane Bush for her community work. Bush has been actively involved in the Venice clean-up efforts to improve the lives of young people, primarily, but also has been involved in the clean-up of the boardwalk. 
   Over the past years, the festival has been attended by thirty to forty thousand people yearly and has raised over $100,000 for numerous local youth groups, including Oakwood Recreation Center, LIEU-Cap,Venice High School, Venice Library, Boys and Girls Club, American Child Foundation and Venice Athletic Club. In addition, AKDA initiated and provided funds for the planting of 74 palm trees on Abbot Kinney Blvd. and provided support, maintenance, and trimming during the first 5 years after planting.
   Proceeds from this year's festival will again be used for beautification of Venice and the support of community youth programs.