The Infamous Venice Sign Is Welcomed Back to Venice, California

If you pick up a historic postcard of Venice, CA, you’ll probably see the beloved Venice electric sign that used to hang at Windward Avenue and Venice Beach. The Venice Sign Restoration project has been diligently working since 2004 to arrange for this classic icon to return to Venice. Well, it is finally happening and Venice is having a party. Venice Fest is scheduled for Sunday June 24th and will celebrate two very special happenings: the completion of this famous welcoming electric trestle sign and the 100th year birthday of the Venice Chamber of Commerce.

In honor of such a momentous occasion, Venice Fest was created to remind our local and neighboring community what Venice is made of. Venice Fest will be held from noon till 9:00 pm on Sunday, June 24th, on Windward between Pacific Ave and the famous Venice Boardwalk. The all day event will feature music by great local bands including the hometown favorites and Venice raised residents of the band “Venice.” Also appearing will be the rare solo performance by Venice singer Mark Lennon and singer/songwriter Kathy Leonardo, along with the Venice High School marching band. Venice Fest will also feature 50 booths of everything from arts and crafts to eco-friendly businesses, electric cars and community organizations. In addition, there will be a children’s area which will include a big bounce, a petting zoo and face painting.

The new trestle sign will be lit at dusk at a ceremony presided over by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Councilmember Bill Rosendahl, Kendrik Kinney, grandson of Venice founder Abbot Kinney, and other surprise guests.

Special thanks go out to Daniel Samakow and James Evans, owners of the recently opened restaurant “Danny’s Deli” on Windward which displays the latest mural by Venice artist Rip Cronk and is a showplace for the town’s history.

In addition, a well deserved thank you to building owners Jose Bunge and Mark Wurm, Southern District Director Mark-Antonio Grant, Restoration Project Manager Todd Von Hoffman, West LA District Bureau engineer Anthony Munoz and Community Beautification Grant Manager Mike Espinoza.

Booths and sponsorship opportunities are available.

For more information, contact Daryl Barnett at venicechamberevents@yahoo.com, or call her at (310) 429-4169.