Family-Friendly Fun at Inaugural Venice Beach Surf and Skate Fest

The inaugural Venice Beach Surf & Skate Fest celebrated the past and present of the homegrown sports Saturday in a family-friendly event that featured live music, dozens of vendors selling vintage and new goods, food and beer.

A charity raffle of goods and services donated by sponsors raised more than $1,200 for the Boys & Girls Club of Venice, said the club's associate executive director Armando Diaz on Tuesday.

The outdoor party at the Venice Farmers' Market lot was held under cloudy skies, yet drew a moderate crowd despite competing with the Coachella music festival, Earth Day events and the Mar Vista Green Gardens Showcase.

The event had a welcoming locals feel with the Free Venice Beachhead manning a booth and Venice Paparazzi taking photos.

"I'm surprised this is the first one of its kind in Venice," said Venice resident Alison Franson, who was selling jewelry made out of recycled bicycle inner tubes at the festival. "It seems like it should be all of the time."

She thanked event organizer Brady Walker for keeping the booth rate "really, really low," which helps to support local artists.

The Gods of Macho, a tongue-in-cheek heavy metal band, closed out the music and the festival.

Patch contributor took photos of the event. If you have your own that you'd like to share, feel free to add them to the gallery.