This Saturday, the Mar Vista Chamber of Commerce is hosting “Make It Mar Vista” along Venice Boulevard starting at Centinela Avenue and heading west. The event is the area’s newish small business showcase, highlighting one of the Westside’s more walkable corridors with small shops and locally-owned restaurants.
But this year’s event is also another outreach event for the Mayor’s Great Streets Program on the Westside. Streetsblog has already covered how Councilmember Mike Bonin and Westside community and business leaders have led a multi-faceted public process for Great Streets planning that is unrivaled throughout the city, and Make It Mar Vista is another example of planning beyond the public meeting.
Bonin’s office, the Mayor’s office, the Mar Vista Chamber of Commerce, and the Mar Vista Community Council have all worked together to create a progressive Great Streets plan, which will include a protected bike lane, improved crossings and sidewalks, and possibly even a parklet. Make It Mar Vista will have pop-up versions of the protected bike lane and parklet so residents, businesses, and visitors will get an idea of what the Great Street will look like once the redesign begins.
"Make It Mar Vista is exactly the type of programming we need on the Venice Boulevard Great Street," said Bonin. "By encouraging people to spend time at our local businesses and experience the street in a new way, Make it Mar Vista helps foster the sense of community that furthers long-term investment in neighborhoods."
According to event programmers, creating a community feel along the corridor is a shared-goal of Make It Mar Vista and the Great Streets Program.
"What we love best about Small Business Saturday is how it supports the local community," writes Sara Auerswald, the founding president of the business district.
"These businesses are owned by our friends and neighbors, after all. And this year we've made it into a festival on the Great Street with art projects, live entertainment and, of course, the bike lane pop-up."
Make It Mar Vista is working with the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition to highlight the importance of the event. Bicyclists will kick off Make it Mar Vista by riding on the stretch of Venice Blvd designated as one of the Mayor's 15 Great Streets. This family-friendly bike ride is a flat, 2-mile round trip along Venice Blvd and will be led by LACBC ride marshals and cyclists with the Los Angeles Police Department.
Cyclists, meet at 10 a.m. at the southeast corner of Venice & Inglewood, roll at 10:30 a.m. More on the full program for the event can be found after the jump or at the Mar Vista Chamber of Commerce website.
Program:
10 a.m.
- Kickoff Bike Ride on Venice Blvd by LACBC
11 a.m.
- Opening Ceremonies at the Main Stage
ONGOING Events 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Holiday Shopping at all the Participating Merchants + Artisan Booths
Mosaic Art Project on the lawn at the Mar Vista Library
ABC Art Project at A Kids Place
FREE Childcare at Vineyard Christian Fellowship
Protected Bike Lane on Venice Blvd between Grand View + Centinela
Pop-up protected bike lane tour with Charlie Gandy (11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 2:30 p.m.)
Cut-A-Thon Fundraiser at All About Color
Full-Circle Pottery Festival & Holiday Sale
Pet Photos + Open House at VCA Animal Hospital
Making Holiday Cards for the Troops & Veterans at Kids' Craft Area
Photo Booth Fun at the Main Stage
Paint by Numbers Mural at the Main Stage
12 p.m.
Magic on the Main Stage
Tricycle Derby in the Protected Bike Lane by Walk N Rollers
Pottery Demo at Peach Tree Pottery
12:30 p.m.
Music on the Main Stage
Free Pilates Mat Class at The Moving Joint
1 p.m.
Clay Activities for Kids at Full-Circle Pottery
1:15 p.m.
Kickstart Dance Troupe at the Main Stage
1:45 p.m.
Grand View Blvd Dance troupe on the Main Stage
2:15 p.m.
Music on the Main Stage
3 p.m.
Folklorico Dance Troupe on the Main Stage
Weaving Demo at Full-Circle Pottery
*Schedule subject to change - more things being added all the time.
