The Fiesta needs changes. Here are some suggestions:
- The Fiesta is too big. Make it smaller and curate exhibits/vendors that are unique and appealing to South Bay life.
- Highlight and support more local vendors, local art and local artists
- Keep the music/live bands
-The Fiesta should be held once a year
- Keep the beer garden
- Keep the rides for kids - more kids needed.
I am totally in favor of keeping two Fiestas. Both Fiestas provide a fantastic opportunity for so many people, for example, local non-profit organizations. The Chamber donated $36,000 to the non-profits that volunteered in the Charity Beer & Wine Garden. That's an incredible amount. Personally, I love the community-feel. Grabbing a bite at the food court, heading out to the plaza to listen to music, waving hello to the friendly volunteers (who live in Hermosa or work in Hermosa) stationed all over the venue. Where else do you have such an awesome event so close to the beach?
I strongly support two fiestas annually. The fiestas are very important to our business in Hermosa Beach and they truly bring the community together. They put Hermosa Beach on the map as the best little beach town and showcase all that our city has to offer. The fiestas are also the safest, most family friendly events, in all of Los Angeles.
We love having fiesta Hermosa both holidays. It's a great event to bring family and friends to that we look forward to. It brings the community together and helps promote local businesses we wouldn't normally see if shop at. The fact that it funds other local events makes it a necessity to keep Hermosa how it is. I moved here 10 years ago because of the sense of community and events this amaxing little beach town offers.
I support both Festivals. So many residents love these weekends. As you can tell by the results of this post, all those that support are in the majority big time...
Each year, the Hermosa Beach Chamber of Commerce is proud to offer the opportunity for local non-profit organizations to serve at the Fiesta Hermosa Charity Beer & Wine Garden to raise money for their efforts to help better our local community.
Last night, the Chamber was proud to present a grand total of $36,000 to these great organizations! Each group received a check in the amount of $3,600.
The Chamber needs to continue both Fiesta's in order to have the funds to continue giving back to the community by doing events like the Holiday Tree Lighting, Holiday Decorations on PCH, Pier and Hermosa Ave., New Year's Eve on the Plaza, St. Patrick's Day Parade. These were long time events very popular with the local community that were picked up by the Chamber after the City
announced that they were no longer going to do them. These are just a few of the ways the Chamber gives back. I feel that
if we loose one of the Fiesta's, the residents and businesses will not realize the full effect it will have on the entire community until it is too late.
Hermosa Beach Chamber of Commerce is the only self-funded Chamber of Commerce as receives no funding from the City of Hermosa Beach or taxpayers. I am very proud that the Chamber is able to donate so much money from our Fiesta earnings to fund 10 different non-profits a year. Each non-profit that works the beer garden receives over $3600. We were also a proud sponsor of the Special Olympics this year, Sunset Concerts, and the Ed Foundation. The Chamber pays for the St Patrick's Day Parade, holiday decorations, banners, New Year's Eve celebration, sidewalk sales, network lunches, business mixers, City Council debate, State of the City address, and local student college scholarships. While I agree that we should always be looking for new ideas to improve the Fiesta, we have brought some great improvements: the free bike corral, Siesta Fiesta for families with small children, and I'd love to add a wine garden with possibly jazz music and possibly food trucks. Having two Fiestas a year allows the Chamber of Commerce to fund so many great family activities for the residents of Hermosa. If we lose a Fiesta, we lose a lot of the character and events that people love! Would love to hear suggestions but getting rid of a Fiesta will have many negative unintended consequences. Please consider any suggestions you make carefully.
The Chamber provides wonderful opportunities for the residents of the Hermosa Beach, many of which are funded through the Fiesta. However, I think now is the right time for the city and the chamber to examine the type of programming it offers and re-examine the costs/benefits to the residents. I am not in favor of the Fiesta being offered twice a summer, and would prefer a smaller, artsier, more-local/less commercial event.
We support one fiesta per year. We live at 10th and Manhattan Avenue, and the fiesta traffic is diverted down our street for 4 days because Pier Avenue is closed. It's an absolute freeway in front of our house night and day, with motorcycles setting off car alarms every night. While we understand that the fiestas are great fun for visitors, we and our neighbors dread them both holiday weekends. Once a summer is enough.
I think the two festivals make a perfect bookend to the summer. Keep the mattresses, countertops, cork guess gimmicks and the religious nuts away. Permanently.
I would like to see more done to help the local businesses (maybe take part of Hermosa Ave near 14th to the Pier) like the Leadership Hermosa Class of 2017 did with Market90245 which featured local food and mostly local businesses. That way the festival could have BOTH a local focus AND helps other artists/businesses. It was one of the things that contributed to my move to Hermosa, it was a great time. My family comes down from the valley every year as they enjoy different aspects of it. My Mom, the music while sitting and patronizing Cafe Bonaparte (usually for lunch’s desert) though she liked it more when they were closer to the stage. The whole family patronizes the food court for lunch (or Cafe Bonaparte) and a local restaurant for dinner.
I also want the Beer Garden to stay, I personally have always enjoyed the food court and beer garden the most. I love live music and having a drink or two.
I like the bands on the Pier the beer garden, the food court and the kiddie area, but the booths have turned into the equivalent of a low rent
swap meet. Get rid of most of the booths so there's actually room to walk around and change the focus back to unique arts, crafts and jewelry. Also, get competitive bids for putting on the Fiesta I believe part of the problem is the current operator has no incentive to plan an event that actually enriches our community because they have no competition.
1) We have not been as a family to Fiesta Hermosa in many years (I went last event). The content is stale. The quality of the booth content is garbage and is cheap Chinese crap. Definitely not very many local vendors. Way less than five years ago. ( not that it was perfect then)
2) As we all work to upscale Hermosa ( not to change the vibe) it seems that this needs major curation. There are several very successful events that curate vendors and it a) brings in the appropriate crowd that we want shopping in Hermosa b) creates local pride and c) helps build momentum to ensure these events are as successful as ever.
Some examples are: Laguna Beach, Carmel by the Sea, Santa Cruz, and even the Beverly Hills Art Festival.
We have a special city and we should only do ”special events”. Every time something like Fiesta happens as is, I personally think it reflects poorly on the whole city.
When the Chamber says they are self supporting, its a bit disingenuous because they are getting the city streets to use as a fundraiser for 6 days......
Locals basically give up all three big summer weekends to really large crowds......Memorial Day and Labor Day (formally) and July 4 (informally).
Would be nice to have at least one that is more low key.
When the Chamber runs the Fair, they define our brand as a city based on how they run it. Hustler casino, Pickup trucks on the Pier,
time share sales, etc. It would be better if the City of Hermosa had control of the event and so we could define our brand and who we include, who we don't. It just really feels like they are more focused on maximizing revenues....
My gut is that we only have one of them (pick the long weekend) and that the City runs it and keeps the money.
I assume Mike Bell would do the same things he currently does, just for a different client (the city, not HBCC).
Some of this money could be used to fund the St Patrick's Day parade, etc. Separately, the City can have a
transparent debate to decide if they want to provide a funding subsidy to the Chamber...some cities do, some don't.
From Laura: “Hermosa Fiesta is an iconic tradition in our town. Like Concerts-at-the-Pier it is an important community event. I have friends that travel across country to partake in the Fiesta each year. They marvel at what a wonderfully social community Hermosa is and see how the locals come together, young and old. As a long-time resident and home owner in Hermosa, I think it would be a travesty to our community character to eliminate or change the dynamics of our Fiesta. I like our simple beach town vibe. Yes, there are some inconveniences that come with Fiesta, but it's six days, only six days out of 365 days each year and the benefits of continuing this wonderful event must surely outweigh a little inconvenience.”
The Fiesta needs changes. Here are some suggestions:
- The Fiesta is too big. Make it smaller and curate exhibits/vendors that are unique and appealing to South Bay life.
- Highlight and support more local vendors, local art and local artists
- Keep the music/live bands
-The Fiesta should be held once a year
- Keep the beer garden
- Keep the rides for kids - more kids needed.
I am totally in favor of keeping two Fiestas. Both Fiestas provide a fantastic opportunity for so many people, for example, local non-profit organizations. The Chamber donated $36,000 to the non-profits that volunteered in the Charity Beer & Wine Garden. That's an incredible amount. Personally, I love the community-feel. Grabbing a bite at the food court, heading out to the plaza to listen to music, waving hello to the friendly volunteers (who live in Hermosa or work in Hermosa) stationed all over the venue. Where else do you have such an awesome event so close to the beach?
I strongly support two fiestas annually. The fiestas are very important to our business in Hermosa Beach and they truly bring the community together. They put Hermosa Beach on the map as the best little beach town and showcase all that our city has to offer. The fiestas are also the safest, most family friendly events, in all of Los Angeles.
We love having fiesta Hermosa both holidays. It's a great event to bring family and friends to that we look forward to. It brings the community together and helps promote local businesses we wouldn't normally see if shop at. The fact that it funds other local events makes it a necessity to keep Hermosa how it is. I moved here 10 years ago because of the sense of community and events this amaxing little beach town offers.
I support both Festivals. So many residents love these weekends. As you can tell by the results of this post, all those that support are in the majority big time...
Each year, the Hermosa Beach Chamber of Commerce is proud to offer the opportunity for local non-profit organizations to serve at the Fiesta Hermosa Charity Beer & Wine Garden to raise money for their efforts to help better our local community.
Last night, the Chamber was proud to present a grand total of $36,000 to these great organizations! Each group received a check in the amount of $3,600.
The Chamber needs to continue both Fiesta's in order to have the funds to continue giving back to the community by doing events like the Holiday Tree Lighting, Holiday Decorations on PCH, Pier and Hermosa Ave., New Year's Eve on the Plaza, St. Patrick's Day Parade. These were long time events very popular with the local community that were picked up by the Chamber after the City
announced that they were no longer going to do them. These are just a few of the ways the Chamber gives back. I feel that
if we loose one of the Fiesta's, the residents and businesses will not realize the full effect it will have on the entire community until it is too late.
I love BOTH Fiestas! They bring so much energy and diversity to our community!
Long time Hermosa resident. My family loves Hermosa fiesta and we strongly support it. Love the music and great community fun.Keep Hermosa Hermosa!!!
Hermosa Beach Chamber of Commerce is the only self-funded Chamber of Commerce as receives no funding from the City of Hermosa Beach or taxpayers. I am very proud that the Chamber is able to donate so much money from our Fiesta earnings to fund 10 different non-profits a year. Each non-profit that works the beer garden receives over $3600. We were also a proud sponsor of the Special Olympics this year, Sunset Concerts, and the Ed Foundation. The Chamber pays for the St Patrick's Day Parade, holiday decorations, banners, New Year's Eve celebration, sidewalk sales, network lunches, business mixers, City Council debate, State of the City address, and local student college scholarships. While I agree that we should always be looking for new ideas to improve the Fiesta, we have brought some great improvements: the free bike corral, Siesta Fiesta for families with small children, and I'd love to add a wine garden with possibly jazz music and possibly food trucks. Having two Fiestas a year allows the Chamber of Commerce to fund so many great family activities for the residents of Hermosa. If we lose a Fiesta, we lose a lot of the character and events that people love! Would love to hear suggestions but getting rid of a Fiesta will have many negative unintended consequences. Please consider any suggestions you make carefully.
The Chamber provides wonderful opportunities for the residents of the Hermosa Beach, many of which are funded through the Fiesta. However, I think now is the right time for the city and the chamber to examine the type of programming it offers and re-examine the costs/benefits to the residents. I am not in favor of the Fiesta being offered twice a summer, and would prefer a smaller, artsier, more-local/less commercial event.
We support one fiesta per year. We live at 10th and Manhattan Avenue, and the fiesta traffic is diverted down our street for 4 days because Pier Avenue is closed. It's an absolute freeway in front of our house night and day, with motorcycles setting off car alarms every night. While we understand that the fiestas are great fun for visitors, we and our neighbors dread them both holiday weekends. Once a summer is enough.
bruce
I think the two festivals make a perfect bookend to the summer. Keep the mattresses, countertops, cork guess gimmicks and the religious nuts away. Permanently.
I would like to see more done to help the local businesses (maybe take part of Hermosa Ave near 14th to the Pier) like the Leadership Hermosa Class of 2017 did with Market90245 which featured local food and mostly local businesses. That way the festival could have BOTH a local focus AND helps other artists/businesses. It was one of the things that contributed to my move to Hermosa, it was a great time. My family comes down from the valley every year as they enjoy different aspects of it. My Mom, the music while sitting and patronizing Cafe Bonaparte (usually for lunch’s desert) though she liked it more when they were closer to the stage. The whole family patronizes the food court for lunch (or Cafe Bonaparte) and a local restaurant for dinner.
I also want the Beer Garden to stay, I personally have always enjoyed the food court and beer garden the most. I love live music and having a drink or two.
Keep the Fiesta as is please,Two weekends.
I like the bands on the Pier the beer garden, the food court and the kiddie area, but the booths have turned into the equivalent of a low rent
swap meet. Get rid of most of the booths so there's actually room to walk around and change the focus back to unique arts, crafts and jewelry. Also, get competitive bids for putting on the Fiesta I believe part of the problem is the current operator has no incentive to plan an event that actually enriches our community because they have no competition.
Attached please find my Fiesta Hermosa Comments. The site kept giving me errors when I put my comments in the comment field. Thanks! Dave
1) We have not been as a family to Fiesta Hermosa in many years (I went last event). The content is stale. The quality of the booth content is garbage and is cheap Chinese crap. Definitely not very many local vendors. Way less than five years ago. ( not that it was perfect then)
2) As we all work to upscale Hermosa ( not to change the vibe) it seems that this needs major curation. There are several very successful events that curate vendors and it a) brings in the appropriate crowd that we want shopping in Hermosa b) creates local pride and c) helps build momentum to ensure these events are as successful as ever.
Some examples are: Laguna Beach, Carmel by the Sea, Santa Cruz, and even the Beverly Hills Art Festival.
We have a special city and we should only do ”special events”. Every time something like Fiesta happens as is, I personally think it reflects poorly on the whole city.
From Dave:
When the Chamber says they are self supporting, its a bit disingenuous because they are getting the city streets to use as a fundraiser for 6 days......
Locals basically give up all three big summer weekends to really large crowds......Memorial Day and Labor Day (formally) and July 4 (informally).
Would be nice to have at least one that is more low key.
When the Chamber runs the Fair, they define our brand as a city based on how they run it. Hustler casino, Pickup trucks on the Pier,
time share sales, etc. It would be better if the City of Hermosa had control of the event and so we could define our brand and who we include, who we don't. It just really feels like they are more focused on maximizing revenues....
My gut is that we only have one of them (pick the long weekend) and that the City runs it and keeps the money.
I assume Mike Bell would do the same things he currently does, just for a different client (the city, not HBCC).
Some of this money could be used to fund the St Patrick's Day parade, etc. Separately, the City can have a
transparent debate to decide if they want to provide a funding subsidy to the Chamber...some cities do, some don't.
Dave
From Gail: “We like having both festivals”
From Laura: “Hermosa Fiesta is an iconic tradition in our town. Like Concerts-at-the-Pier it is an important community event. I have friends that travel across country to partake in the Fiesta each year. They marvel at what a wonderfully social community Hermosa is and see how the locals come together, young and old. As a long-time resident and home owner in Hermosa, I think it would be a travesty to our community character to eliminate or change the dynamics of our Fiesta. I like our simple beach town vibe. Yes, there are some inconveniences that come with Fiesta, but it's six days, only six days out of 365 days each year and the benefits of continuing this wonderful event must surely outweigh a little inconvenience.”