We Are Essential picnic and festival

Santa Monica Cultural Affairs in collaboration with Public Works' Resource Recovery and Recycling and Water divisions presents “We Are Essential”, a picnic and festival to kick off Public Works Week at Gandara Park on Sunday, May 19, 2024, from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. All are welcome to bring a picnic to enjoy the park and celebrate the Public Works staff, infrastructure and systems that we rely upon. The aims of "We Are Essential" are to celebrate essential workers, promote organics recycling and share good zero waste habits that everyone can participate in. Performances on the water theme will be presented by Santa Monica Youth Orchestra members and other artists throughout the picnic, and games and activities for families will be offered on the theme of sustainability. 

This picnic is a project of Laboratory for the Future, a range of activations at and about City Yards includes public events, a speaker series, photo projects, cartography and exhibitions created by Artist in Residence Debra Scacco. More at https://www.santamonica.gov/city-yards-public-art.