Laguna Scenes Enrich Sister City’s Festival

Laguna Beach photographer and long-time Festival of Arts exhibitor Tom Lamb entered 10 aerial photographs of his hometown’s coastline for entry in a festival in France.

The Citrus Festival, similar to the Rose Parade but with lemons and oranges, attracts 200,000 visitors in February to Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur.

Art students in Laguna’s Sister City of Menton, France, repurposed Lamb’s photos into outdoor banners.

Lamb, and his wife, Vickie, accompanied by Sister Cities representatives Michele and Emil Monda, went to Menton for the dedication of the photographs and their public placement outside the Palais Carnoles Museum of Art.

Several dignitaries attended the ceremony along with the students who made the banners and their teachers. The photographs hung in the garden throughout the two-week festival and added to its theme about Jules Vernes’ “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.”

At last week’s City Council meeting, Lamb provided a video presentation of his festival experience, which consists of day and night parades of floats, bands, musicians, dancers and general revelers.

The local Sister Cities organization has similar alliances with San Jose del Cabo, Mexico, and St. Ives, England.

The organization continues to explore exchange opportunities and will host its own Fête de la Musique, which originated in France, June 21. This music festival is open to amateur or professional musicians willing to perform at various locations in downtown Laguna. It is celebrated in 700 cities worldwide.