Published: September, 2013
With the Bay Bridge closed over Labor Day weekend, there’s no better way to get across the Bay and still have a good time than to take the ferry to Sausalito, where you can experience one of the most prestigious art festivals in the United States.
Featuring plenty of fine art, music, wine and food, the Sausalito Art Festival continues to set the standard for quality, variety, innovation and sheer scope of art on display, as well as for a celebrated entertainment line-up and special exhibits. Over 260 artists from around the world will be exhibiting paintings, sculpture, drawings, jewelry, ceramic, glass, fiber arts, woodwork, photography, mixed media and more.
In addition to exploring hundreds of unique art pieces and partaking in fine California wines and micro-brews, guests will be able to rock to top-name entertainers each day of the festival at two music stages. Performers for 2013 include Dave Mason, Lisa Marie Presley, Credence Clearwater Revisited, American Idol star, Crystal Bowersox, Super Diamond and acclaimed Beatles tribute band the Fab Four, as well as the English Beat and the Psychedelic Furs. A complete list of performers is at www.sausalitoartfestival.org.
Seaworthy Art
With the much-heralded 34th America’s Cup sailboat races in San Francisco Bay just around the corner, this year’s festival is celebrating all things nautical, including the largest "marine sculpture" on site—a 120-foot historic tall ship that is under construction just inside the festival entrance.
There will also be a special exhibit and retrospective of legendary marine photographer Diane Beeston, who chronicled decades of activity on the San Francisco Bay and was especially renowned for her stunning photographs of sailboats.
To complete the nautical theme, Jim Dewitt, a noted marine artist, is the festival’s official poster artist this year (see poster on right).
By Land or By Sea
Getting to the festival has never been easier. The Blue & Gold Fleet offers a combined ferry/art festival ticket package and transports festival attendees from Pier 41 in San Francisco directly to the festival pier. The Golden Gate Ferry (leaving from the Ferry Building in San Francisco) will add extra ferries for the Festival and sails to downtown Sausalito, where passengers can catch a free shuttle bus to and from the festival. Free valet bicycle parking is also provided.
The three-day festival is Labor Day weekend: Friday, August 31 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday, September 1 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Monday, September 2 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets are $25 for general admission; $15 for seniors 62+; $5 for children ages 6 – 12; and free for children under the age of 6. Avoid lines and order tickets online in advance. For tickets, more information or to volunteer for the event, visit www.sausalitoartfestival.org. The festival hotline number is (415) 331-1492.
