By Lookout Staff

May 7, 2015 -- Music from around the world, dance workouts and activity sessions, farmers market cooking classes, a hands-on art zone, a cardboard playground -- officials are apparently trying to set a record for “fun had in a single day” at this year's Santa Monica Festival.

The 24th annual event Saturday, May 9, at Clover Park at Ocean Park Avenue and 25th Street, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., combines daylong entertainment, food, shopping and education all in one venue, and it's all free.

This year's Ocean Stage will welcome students from Active Santa Monica performing “Love the World,” an energetic dance to beats from around the world, two-time Grammy winners Mariachi Divas, Delta blues by Angelou and the tropical sounds of Quitapenas and Halau Keali'i O Nalani, performing songs and dance from the Polynesian Islands. Comedic actor Joshua Silverstein will emcee.

From noon to 4:50 p.m., instructors will lead zumba, rock and hip hop dance workouts, while at the Santa Monica Farmers Market Culinary Stage, Emcee Laura Avery will host kids' cooking classes and demonstrations by local chefs.

Community organizations, cycling advocates and local businesses will highlight the benefits of bicycling at the Family Bike Hub, featuring a skills course and instructional clinics. The hub also will  include the fifth annual Santa Monica Spoke Bike Exhibition of new and vintage bikes, as well as  debut demonstrations of the City's new bike-sharing system, Breeze.

Visitors can learn how to make Japanese “quick pickles” or build a cardboard boat, two of many workshops scheduled throughout the day. Children can unleash their imaginations at the instant cardboard playground made entirely of recycled materials and sponsored by Rediscover Center.

Fair fare this year will be on sale at more than a dozen gourmet food trucks, while area artisans such as Aesthetics L.A., Artful, Lisa Ann Sparks, Nicci B and many others will offer hand-crafted items at the vendor marketplace. 

According the City's website the annual festival “strives to be a zero-waste event.”

“Zero-Waste Stations will be set up throughout the park identifying what is and isn't waste in order to minimize trash going to the landfill and maximize recycling and composting.”

Free parking will be available at the park. For more information, http://www.smgov.net/Main/Santa_Monica_Festival/About_the_Santa_Monica_Festival.aspx

or call the Cultural Affairs Division at 310-458-8350.