From Sea Glass to Books: Community Traditions Fill Earl Warren Showgrounds This Week
By Caroline Wang
A handmade piece of ocean art and a $2 used book may seem worlds apart, but both drew Santa Barbara residents to the Earl Warren Showgrounds this week. The Sea Glass & Ocean Arts Festival and Mary Jane McCord Planned Parenthood Book Sale offered two very different ways to spend your day—and two very different glimpses into the Santa Barbara community.
The Sea Glass & Ocean Arts Festival seemed impossible to walk through without stopping. Booth after booth displayed beautiful handmade jewelry, pottery, paintings, and bath products–all ocean themed or sourced. Many vendors had collected the materials (sea glass, sea shells, and stones) themselves, and shaped them into creations by hand. Upon approach, sellers eagerly shared the stories behind their handiwork, making each booth feel less like a store and more like a glimpse into the artist’s creative world.
Outside, live music, speakers, craft-making activities, and shaded seating gave the festival a relaxed, communal atmosphere. The event’s merchandise furthered the environmental focus; reusable water bottles and canvas tote bags sold as alternatives to plastic. The festival’s proceeds supported the newly founded California Coastal Arts & Ocean Alliance, this year's nonprofit partner. The organization similarly utilizes art and education to promote environmental advocacy.
On the other side of the showgrounds, the Planned Parenthood Book Sale offered a completely different kind of treasure hunt. Now in its 52nd year, the sale transformed the main building into a maze of over 200,000 books. Historic classics such as The Legend of Sleepy Hollow sat alongside modern favorites like Bridgerton, with every book priced at just $1–$5. Among the rows, a banned book display highlighted the importance of access to literature and education.
For hours, shoppers quietly sifted through the shelves, emerging with bags bursting at the seams with new reads. With proceeds supporting the Planned Parenthood California Central Coast health centers, each inexpensive purchase was given a larger purpose.
As a teenager, I found myself wishing more young people knew about these events. While the rooms were crowded with residents, the primary demographics were the elderly or young families. Many young adults nowadays do not frequently experience discovering a handmade piece from a local artist, getting lost in a stack of $2 books, or simply spending an afternoon conversing with familiar faces or individuals you have never met.
These events don't require you to be an artist, a collector, or an avid reader. They just ask you to show up, and engage. So if you’re looking for something to do before this week is over, the Planned Parenthood Book Sale is still going—come browse the shelves for your next read. Otherwise, be on the lookout for more upcoming Santa Barbara events and find a local tradition of your own to enjoy.
