Santa Monica’s first-ever “Spring Jubilee Celebrates BritWeek,” a two-day festival held on Third Street Promenade and at Santa Monica Place this past weekend, was a huge success.
Downtown Santa Monica, Inc. and Santa Monica Place partnered with BritWeek to present the festival.
The weekend featured a collection of environmentally-focused vendors, gardens designed by leading landscape architects and designers, live entertainment, speakers and demonstrations, all with a distinctly British flair.
The event spanned three blocks along the Third Street Promenade from Wilshire to Broadway, with the main performance stage located in Santa Monica Place.
“This was community-wide event which showcased the best in spring flora, fashion and fun; and through our partnership with BritWeek, we celebrated British culture with a variety of special events and experiences,” said Debbie Lee, Vice President of Downtown Santa Monica, Inc.
BritWeek kicked off the festivities by hosting an exclusive Downton Abbey Vintage Party on Friday, May 3 at the Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows in Santa Monica,that honored Executive Producer, Gareth Neame and cast member Laura Carmichael (Lady Edith Crawley).
The weekend continued with a live concert, “The Beatles’ Abbey Road Complete—And More.”
Music industry legend Peter Asher played a selection of Peter & Gordon hits and hosted a special performance of The Beatles’ classic Abbey Road album.
Asher introduced Denny Laine, co-founder of the Moody Blues and Wings, and Terry Sylvester of the Hollies as Denny, Terry and band played the Abbey Road album start to finish on Saturday, May 4 at Santa Monica Place’s Center Plaza.
The Spring Jubilee featured British brand sponsors including luxury car maker Jaguar who offered a sneak peek of their new F-Type, mini-makeovers by Boots, Cunard Cruises give-a-ways, celebrity wax figures and photo booth by Madame Tussauds.
British biscuit company Walker’s Shortbread, hosted a doggie red carpet with doggie adoptions from Santa Monica-based rescue organization, Take Me Home.
“BritWeek was thrilled to have partnered with Downtown Santa Monica in presenting the first-ever Spring Jubilee,” said Sharon Harroun Pierce, Director of BritWeek.
In addition, Chef Lisa Fontenesi from The Jamie Oliver Food Foundation taught kids about the importance of nutrition, local urban beekeepers Honey Love discussed the bee’s vital role in ecology, Conscious Living Landscapes focused on the healing power of plants, and others were featured in the Jamie Oliver Food Foundation Outdoor Classroom.
A variety of local vendors offered eco-friendly goods and services on each block of the Promenade.
Participating Spring Jubilee vendors included Alter Eco, providing gourmet chocolates; A Spot of Tea, selling tea and tea products; Bohemian Rags, with fun spring clothing; Conscious Living Jewelry, who showcased plant-based jewelry; herbs and plants by It Began in the Garden; the newest bikes and bike products from Downtown LA Bikes; Jen Zahigian Photography, featuring sunny, fun photographs of Spring; Jungle Bee jewelry; kids’ products, unique jewelry and body/bath products from KidTyme, Belandaria & Zona; roses and landscaping from Linda McKendry Designs; and face painting by Shanah Design.
Visitors and local residents also shared their favorite spring photos of Downtown Santa Monica on Instagram to win prizes from Whole Foods and Ye Olde Kings Head.
Winners will be announced on Wednesday, May 15.
