Inaugural Venice Beach Surf and Skate Fest Saturday at Venice Farmers' Market Lot

The inaugural Venice Beach Surf & Skate Fest will be held Saturday in the Venice Farmers' Market lot and will feature a showcase of products, a community swap meet, a food court of Venice restaurants, live music, a beer garden and a charity raffle.

The free event will be held from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 2150 Dell Avenue and also will include an art show and historical exhibits and vintage bicycles for sale, said Brady Walker, an event coordinator.

Organizers hope to make the event a yearly affair to celebrate the creativity and innovation of Venice's surf and skate scene. The event will be held in the spring to allow apparel and equipment manufacturers to showcase their products for use in the upcoming summer.

A charity raffle of prizes donated by local businesses also will be held and 100 percent of the proceeds will go to the Boys & Girls Club of Venice.

The Venice Street Legends, L.A. Death Dolls, surf band Closeout and Gods of Macho are among the bands scheduled to perform.

Donators to the charity raffle include Freedom Surf Camp, which donated 10 day camp passes; Insight on Windward Circle, which offered apparel; Fallen skate shoes; Mystery skateboards and apparel and Zero skateboards.

The Venice Family Clinic also will be showcasing their surf and skateboard collection for their annual auction taking place on April 27th.