Pageant of the Masters Cancelled Due To Coronavirus

LAGUNA BEACH, CA — Laguna Beach Festival of Arts Fine Art Show and Pageant of the Masters will be cancelled this year due to the coronavirus, organizers confirmed Monday.

It wasn't an easy decision to cancel Laguna Beach's most famous and long-standing tradition, said organizers.

"We were hopeful and tried our best to open our doors this summer, but sadly our shows have become another victim of COVID-19," David Perry, Festival of Arts board president, said in a statement. "The decision to cancel our shows was not taken lightly. But given these unprecedented times, we believe it is the right thing to do."

The pageant draws participants from all over Southern California, many of who spend months preparing. Fans of the annual festival also buy tickets months in advance. To make up for the disappointment, organizers are exploring the possibility of a virtual art exhibit that could be made available later this summer.

Organizers said the events were rendered infeasible due to the social- distancing and other public health guidelines imposed due to the coronavirus.

Artists who were set to take part in the Fine Art Show will be guaranteed a spot in next year's show. The Pageant of the Masters' performance of "Made in America" will be held in the summer of 2021.

People who purchased tickets for the events will be contacted about their options. People who opt to donate their tickets back to the organization will be entered into a raffle for a walk-on role in the 2021 Pageant.

City News Service and Patch Staffer Paige Austin contributed to this report.