1990
Artists Monica Dunham and Pat Sparkuhl start the guided art tours of the Festival of Arts fine art exhibit. A program that is still popular today.
1989
The Festival of Arts with a $1.5 million donation established the Laguna Beach Festival of Arts Foundation, a California nonprofit public benefit corporation, in order to guarantee annual financial support for the arts in Laguna Beach.
1981
Dan Duling becomes Pageant Script Writer
1979
Glen Eytchinson becomes new Pageant of the Master Director from 1979-1995
1978
New administrative building constructed on Festival grounds
1974
"Window to the Sea" Main Beach Dedication
1973
Thurl Ravenscroft serves as Narrator ("The Voice of the Pageant") 1973 - 1992
1969
Festival Completes Forum Theater on Festival grounds
1966
The Sawdust Art Festival is established as an alternative festival without a jurying system
1964
Architect, innovator and former Festival Board president Don Williamson appointed Pageant Director, serves 1964-1978.
1963
Popular Festival Tram Service Begins
1962
Festival Helps Found Laguna Beach School of Art, later renamed Laguna College of Art and Design.
1960
First Photography Exhibit
1957
In 1957, the Festival of Arts Scholarship Program was established to provide financial assistance for Laguna Beach High Schools students preparing for careers in various disciplines in the arts. Sally Dunn Reed, a senior graduating from Laguna Beach High, was awarded the very first scholarship of $1,000.
1957
Pageant guest-star and volunteer Bette Davis "almost" appears in the Pageant.
1957
Donald Williamson designed the Festival of Arts dining pavilion, now known as Tivoli Terrace, which featured a dramatic paraboloid roof.
1955
Pan Am Airlines creates controversy and publicity bonanza by censoring visitor's guide with Pageant's re-creation of Venus de Milo on the cover
1953
A New Stage built and dedicated for the Irvine Bowl
1947
Festival exhibitor and future board member Russell Iredell is credited with the inauguration in 1947 of the Junior Art Exhibit, a perennial favorite of Festival visitors, featuring the works of student from Orange County schools (K-12) selected by a jury of public school art teachers.
1946
Festival and Pageant return with first of a series of new Pageant directors replacing Roy Ropp.
1942-45
World War II halts Festival and Pageant for four years.