Venice Paparazzi was on the scene and hosted a fun photo booth at the 5th Annual Venice Holiday Sign Lighting event on Dec. 2, 2016.  View event pics below.  In this photo above:  Councilmember Mike Bonin and The Doors legend and Rock & Roll Hall of Famer, Robby Krieger.

Dec 2nd, 2016 marked the fifth annual Holiday Lighting of the Venice Sign and it was a night of celebration unmatched in Venice history.  The highlight of the event was the return of The Doors legend and Rock & Roll Hall of Famer, Robby Krieger, to the birthplace of the iconic band to light the Venice Sign.  After being introduced by Councilman Mike Bonin and throwing the switch, the famed guitarist treating the crowd to an impromptu jam session that included a performance of “Roadhouse Blues!”

The night, hosted by the Venice Chamber of Commerce and Council District 11, featured a collection of local businesses and charities bringing holiday cheer to the community with free gifts and snacks.  Holiday Venice Sign tee shirts were on sale and the free photo booth was a big holiday hit!  Windward Circle underwent its holiday beautification and hosted the arrival of this years’ Sign Lighting “Spirit Animal” the Venice Penguin , or “Venguin” with the support and sponsorship of local tech incubator Amplify.

Major sponsors that made the celebration possible also included Markett, The Lincoln, The Venice Whaler and James Beach.

The Venice Art Crawl announced the winners of their second annual “My Venice Holiday” poster contest sponsored by Mark Verge’s OP Cafe.  All Venice public school students were encouraged to submit entries illustrating their vision of what the holidays mean to them in Venice.  Winners were selected Venice-wide from each grade and they received a $100 gift card, a free backpack courtesy of Will Leather Goods, drawing pencils from Mittel’s Art supply, art books from In Heroes We Trust and a special Venice Sign “Stay Cool” tee-shirt and stuffed toy Venguin.  Winners were Kensington Bourne (K), Jacob Masi (G1), London Bourne (G2) Rana Kurt (G3),Sheela Cortes (G4), and Priscilla Lydia Edior (G5).  Venice Art Crawl President, Sunny Bak, announced the winners on stage and presented them with certificates of achievement from the Venice Chamber of Commerce, Council District 11, Congressman Ted Lieu and Assemblywoman Autumn Burke along with the prizes.

Musical guests that entertained the crowd were a line-up of some of the best local talent Venice has to offer. Leading off was singer-songwriter, Christopher Hawley.  He was followed by bluesgrass fusion band, Urban Grass. And the main attraction was the band Venice. Venice was returning to celebrate the five year anniversary of the event, having played at the very first holiday Sign lighting in 2012.

A great variety of sponsors once again generously contributed to the night’s success.  These included Burn Fitness, Dasy Penner, Google, LA Car Guy, General Real Estate, Salt & Straw, The Venice FreeRide, Hotel Erwin, Larry’s The Townhouse, Menotti’s, Barnstorm Films, Hlton Pardee, The Sidewalk Cafe, Bank of Venice, Simmzy’s, Halton Pardee, Bambee, Brad Neal,Jack Hoffman, Brin J Ulf and Scott Spector.  The event was once again emceed by West LA Area Planning Commissioner and Venice resident, Michael Newhouse.

It was a great evening where Venice showed its true spirit of joy and celebration!

Let it roll, baby roll!!!! All night long!!!!