By Marissa GOULD

Though the official start of summer is still a few weeks off, it was summer-like temperatures that the Crescenta Valley community enjoyed at the annual Montrose Arts & Crafts Festival held last weekend. As in years past, attendees experienced live music, fun and, most importantly, some fine artists.

This was the 32nd year of the Montrose Arts & Crafts Festival and it was bigger than ever. Three-hundred artists set up shop along Honolulu Avenue to show off their wares. Shoppers found everything from paintings to clothes, from homemade jewelry to pottery. There was also the popular Kid Zone where kids could enjoy pony rides, a petting zoo, an inflatable slide and a rock-climbing wall. Since the Arts & Crafts Festival was from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. on Saturday (5 p.m. on Sunday), there were plenty of food vendors and even some dessert food trucks on-site to feed the hungry masses.

As with any event of this size, it would not have been possible without the dedication of volunteers and organizers who have been working on the Festival for the past several months. Montrose Arts & Crafts Festival Coordinator Dee Oveden has been organizing the event for 11 years … a job she said she loves.

“I love people,” she said. “I really like what I do.”

It’s not just Oveden who likes what she does. Many of the storeowners in Montrose are grateful for the event that brings thousands onto Honolulu Avenue every year. In fact, many of the stores had set up sidewalk sales so people could stop by and take a look at some of their discounted items. Other stores were happy with the extra business that came their way.

Nina Williams, who works at Paradis Ice Cream, said, “All the crowds really helped with selling a lot of ice cream.”

The Arts & Crafts Festival vendors were pleased with the high turnout, too. Several were overheard saying that sales were higher than last year and they look forward to making their way to Honolulu again next year … something that would benefit just about everyone.

  Marissa GOULD