By Clyde Noel

Photo by Monique Schoenfeld, Town Crier

Arts & Wine event capitalizes on pleasant weather, better organization

The Los Altos Arts & Wine Festival, the annual downtown extravaganza, held last weekend, benefited from cooler summer weather, an increased number of artists and a new layout of booths, attractions and facilities.

Visitors appeared happy, artists seemed pleased and festival management was ecstatic at the close of the 22nd event.

“We moved the food booths from the side streets and put them in the Central Plaza, and it worked wonders with the crowd,” said Kathleen Byrne, executive director of the Los Altos Village Association (LAVA). “All the changes we made this year turned out successfully. It’s a successful show. The KIDZONE is crowded, and they’re standing in line for food.”

Los Altos Councilwoman Kris Casto, a festival volunteer, said the success relates to the “perfect” weather this year. “It feels good to be outside,” she said. “There is more to see this year and the quality of art is better.”

Mary Fassil, a Dana Point artist, showed her “Ladies of the Nite” dolls and was delighted with the festival.

“We make about 15 shows a year and this was the first time we exhibited up here,” Fassil said. “We’ve had exceptional response. It’s the best show I’ve ever done in California.”

Sisters Sharon Buzzini and Donna Colby live in Modesto and return each year to go the festival and visit their mother in Los Altos.

“Six hours yesterday and three today; I think we boosted your economy more than $1,000 today,” Buzzini said.

Information booth chairwoman Penny Lave said more than 700 artists applied for space, but only 450 were selected.

More than 400 volunteers pitch in. Many work in food booths or help organize kids activities. Both KIDZONE and food booths were active places for volunteers.

Carol Hanzlik, vice president of Bay View Bank, cooked polish sausage and old-fashioned hot dogs for the Los Altos Kiwanis Club booth.

“We sold out of meat yesterday, so the show is good for us. Must be the nice weather,” Hanzlik said.

Sgt. Mark Macaulay of the Los Altos Police Department said the festival presented no problems for the department this year.

“In the past, it has always been hot and the heat can bother people. This year, we had no problems and the large crowd is orderly,” Macaulay said.