The 2015 Pageant of the Masters will come to a close on August 31, 2015. Do not miss the opportunity to see this world famous event.

When I was provided with two tickets to the Pageant of the Masters I was also offered a choice. This choice surrounded around who to bring. Being that I had been wanting to spend more time with my mother I knew that she was the perfect person to invite but I was not too sure if she would actually be interested.

Well, I did not have to doubt that at all. I had barely gotten the words out of my mouth to extend the invitation when my mother immediately said “yes.”

As we drove down to Laguna Beach my mother made a  profound statement.

“I am thrilled to be seeing this, I have always been curious about the Pageant of the Masters.

However, to be honest, you could have invited me to a dog park and I would have been so excited.”

This hit me in a deep way and should hit all of us. Regrettably, it is so indicative of how important it is to stay connected with our elders and how often we forget.

My mother said that many of her friends children would not invite them for an excursion. She went on to explain that they, most especially, would not invite to something that would involve their child’s work peers. Incidentally, I am at the pageant on assignment and in need of an assistant and thrilled for the company. My mom is filling both roles on the evening of our attendance. She could not have been more excited about the glimpse into my world. By the same token, the trust I had placed in her meant the world to her.

The Festival of Arts and Pageant of the Masters has a long and cohesive history in Southern California.

The first festival was in 1932 and the first pageant in 1933.  Each year treats us to a special theme intended to delight and expand your mind. This year’s theme does not disappoint with “The Pursuit of Happiness.”

Upon arriving at the Laguna Beach Festival of Arts & Pageant of the Masters we checked in, picked up our press passes and had a bit of time to wait.

We explored the new facade a bit and then sat talked and observed. It is interesting to watch an event unfold  through the eyes of someone thirty years your senior. The observations are different as are the levels of appreciation.

The pageant and festival facility is owned by City of Laguna Beach and leased to the festival since 1941. It is a stunningly crafted 5.6 acres that Mom is actually a little bit nervous about being able to walk around. I tell her not to worry and that we will take it slow but what I also see is that everyone will take it slow as there is so much to take in…it is truly a festival for the senses with so much to see, hear and even eat and drink.

Jazz festivals and wine and chocolate pairings are among just a few of the wonderful offerings that  surround us. There are also artist demonstrations, art workshops, and child centered daily art activities and guided art tours. There is a fee for the wine and chocolate pairings of $15. Art workshops have a small material fee. Please call 949-494-1145 for more details on all events.

The Pageant of The Masters is voted as “one of the top five art festivals in the nation” and certainly takes a great deal of  hard work and dedication to put together.

I am told by the stage manager that the volunteers are as young as 4 and as “old” as 80 and that they come back year after year as they enjoy it so much. Then he shares with me that he got involved with the pageant as a teen when he and a few friends decided to audition. As he shared a bit of personal background on his pageant experience the joy radiated from him. Consequently, you could understand why people would dedicate such a great amount of time to this piece of California history.

My evening with my mother capped off at the wonderful Tivoli Terrace. The food, service and ambience was truly wonderful in this quaint on site restaurant. There are many intimate seating areas. These allowed us to feel as if you were sitting in a beautiful Italian home. We were also very impressed by the simply darling outdoor chapel.

A pageant ticket acts as a season pass to the Festival of Arts. Alternatively, you can consider a Passport to the Arts season pass which allows for unlimited admission to The Festival of Arts, Sawdust Art Festival and Art-A-Fair. Please call 800-487-3378 for more information.