Downtown Del Mar will host a free four-day surf festival in October, with screenings, panels, reunions and live music spread across four venues.
The Del Mar Historical Society is presenting the inaugural Surf Del Mar Festival from Thursday, Oct. 8, through Sunday, Oct. 11. Events will take place at Del Mar Plaza, Powerhouse Park, L'Auberge Hotel and St. Peter's Parish Hall at 334 14th St.
All events are free.
The Historical Society said in a news release that the full program is open to the public, the San Diego Union-Tribune reported.
At the center of the festival is a multi-generational Surfers Reunion. The event aims to bring together people who surfed Del Mar's breaks in the 1950s and 1960s alongside today's wave riders.
A Surfing and Sustainability Climate Symposium, moderated by Del Mar TV personality Jeff Lehmann, will cover ocean conservation, coastal protection and climate action.
The festival also includes a film component produced in collaboration with the California Surf Museum. Surfer and world champion Shaun Tomson will appear for a screening and Q&A of "Bustin' Down the Door" on Friday, Oct. 9, from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at St. Peter's Parish Hall. The festival website describes the screening as celebrating the 50th anniversary of a surf revolution.
On Saturday, Oct. 10, festivalgoers can bring a picnic to Powerhouse Park for a free outdoor screening of Bruce Brown's 1966 film "The Endless Summer." The show starts between 6:30 and 7 p.m.
A Surfwriter's Book Fair will feature signings by prominent surf writers and photographers. Surf photographer Jeff Divine will launch his new book "Divine Surf" on Sunday, Oct. 11, at 11 a.m. at L'Auberge Hotel.
Other programming includes a "Women on Waves" speaking event dedicated to women whose lives have been shaped by water, an Art Walk featuring coastal artists and local students, a Woody Wagon Parade and a party at En Fuego Restaurant on Friday, Oct. 9, from 5 to 9 p.m. with music by Tower 7. Food and drinks at the En Fuego event are not included.
The festival poster was created by artist John Van Hamersveld. The event also includes a tribute to Don Hansen, who founded Hansen Surfboards near Cardiff Reef in Encinitas in 1960. Hansen died March 28 at age 89.
The full schedule is available at surfdelmarfestival.com.
Upcoming community dates:
- Thursday, Oct. 8, through Sunday, Oct. 11 — Surf Del Mar Festival, downtown Del Mar venues. Free admission. Full schedule at surfdelmarfestival.com.
