It seems like there is a protest against the City of Carlsbad around every corner these days. Joining the list is this back alley pop-up arcade, which has gained lots of attention—though it looks like its run was short-lived.
Rumor has it that village attorney Kelsall and Associates has been battling with the City of Carlsbad for some time on a number of issues. The “Arcade” is the newest attempt to take it to the man.
Art Walk is now at 20 participating locations all throughout the Village! With galleries and phantom galleries on Roosevelt Street, State Street, Grand and Carlsbad Blvd., you are sure to find something very special. Originally called Thursdays on the Coast, the new Carlsbad Village Art Walk will take place on the fourth Thursday of every month, from 5pm to 8pm, in collaboration with Cruising the Art Scene held at the Village Faire Shopping Center. This self-guided tour will introduce you to the wonderful stores, galleries, and even restaurants throughout the village that feature art by local and regional artists.
To learn about participating locations or where brochures can be picked up, email info@carlsbad-village.com for more information.
Click HERE for downloadable maps and detailed information.
The Wave (2016)
48in.x36in. $550 (your commission: $100)
I am excited to announce a new opportunity to join the team as a Snyder Art Ambassador. As a member of this team, you will be able to use your networking and creativity to help match some of my newest drip paintings to new homes.
HOW IT WORKS: 1. Each creative process, and finished painting, will be documented and shared via my social media. This will include easily shared graphics, videos and behind-the-scene stories.
2. Share each, or all, of these social media posts as a way to help find new homes for these paintings. This sharing can be done publicly on social media, via private messaging or mentioned in conversation. All shares will be tracked and confirmed at sale.
3. I will confirm the referral source during each sale and award the specified commission. Each painting will vary in commission amount. Snyder Art Advocates with multiple sales will receive additional compensation.
I am excited to begin this collaboration with you. Together we aren’t only selling paintings, but using our creativity and talents to match people with artwork that they will cherish for a lifetime.
This idea is in its testing phase and will evolve into a larger opportunity once the pilot stage is complete.
Legendary Locals of Carlsbad by Cynthia Mestad Johnson
A collision of cultures in a seaside resort community, Carlsbad sits on a seven-mile stretch of white-sands beach idyllically located on the Pacific coast of north county San Diego. The idea of Carlsbad began in the late 1880s when two small groups of entrepreneurs ascended, simultaneously, from both the north and the south. The first group discovered natural mineral springs, which they promoted to tourists as having healing powers. As a result, the town became a very popular resting point for the rich and famous when traveling by train from Los Angeles to the famed Del Mar horse races. Subsequently, the Mexican Revolution began to the south and drove a second group of visionaries to Carlsbad. Thus, the quaint downtown area, known as the Village, was created along with a vibrant Barrio. Incorporated in 1952, Carlsbad remains, today, a tight-knit community of multigenerational and uniquely talented locals.
Includes local artists Bryan Snyder, Susanna Kurner, Ron Juncal and more.
The Carlsbad Flower Fields are not the only things exploding with spring season color. On March 26-27, 2016, Parisian muralist Sebastien Walker painted the Carlsbad Art Wall transforming the east facing exterior wall of Señor Grubby’s into a detailed gift of color and character.
Born and raised in Paris, France and now living in Los Angeles, Walker creates imaginative characters only limited to the size of the walls he paints them on. Fresh off a huge mural at the Container Yard in LA, Walker welcomed his newest urban canvas with the passion of a young child and the professionalism of a seasoned veteran.
Walker’s preliminary outlines began late Friday night. These black lines mapped out a complicated cluster of animals, each sophisticated in technique, but as playful as a child’s stuffed animal packed book nook. Lacking color at this point, Walker’s early linework already hinted at the mind of a complicated and passionate perfectionist.
Walker met the wall early the next morning. The young sun hit the black outlines and white background of the wall with excitement knowing that its rays would soon be animating wild colors fresh from the can of the Parisian artist.
Walker’s palette looked that of the shelves of a local art store. Colors as bright as a Van Gogh painting sprayed across the urban wall as village visitors watched, asked questions and photographed—one who returned multiple times with fresh prints of his photos as gifts.
Walker worked through his colors as the sun raised high then began its descent. Walker’s patches of early fills tricked those who thought his mural was finished. In between drags off his Marlboro Red, Walker smirked in a thick French accent that he had just started. He stepped back and gazed upon the wall of color with a steadfast stare as if he anticipated the brunt of an approaching horned beast; the horned beast being the next stage of his mural.
For the first time during this mural, Walker put on his headphones as he prepared to transition from coloring fills to detailing the outlines. Within the repetitive sounds of a late night Paris club, he breathed air into the motionless characters with wizardly outlines and a precise black details. His can cut the twisted colors like a plastic knife through a mashed-up ball of Play-Doh. Passersby gasped as these mysterious color blotches morphed into happy palm trees, a smirky elephant and a peace loving panda.
A gang of animals fresh from the pages of your favorite children’s book appeared within the intricate details. A small island rose from the dark blue water and trees that may have been painted in a Bob Marley and Bob Ross collaboration grew through the clump of heavy eyed animals—all huddling around a recently unearthed chest full of glowing treasure.
The gold coins strategically positioned in the center of the mural and trapped within a sea of blue glowed brighter as the sun dipped behind the Carlsbad Art Wall and the overhead sky dimmed. Some may have thought the mural was finished, but for the perfectionist who paced at the base of the wall for 12 hours straight; he was far from done. A day of details and cuts awaited.
Easter Sunday began early. While Carlsbad families hunted eggs, Walker searched the Carlsbad Art Wall for imperfections. With smoke in one hand and can in the other, he bounced around the wall eliminating unwanted overspray and sharpening the rolls of each character. Walker trampled a path in the green grass along the wall, as well as a path from the wall to the middle of the lawn where he gazed widely and astutely.
While Walker pounced on lame lines, onlookers flirted with their interpretations of the island loaded with a variety of animals, each deep in expression and surrounding a freshly unearthed treasure chest full of golden coins. A suave cat is tethered to a sleepy palm and a hobo hat wearing seagull dangles a plump worm, possibly also recently unearthed though some might presume it once dangled from the cat’s line.
Like the onlookers who struggled to find the meaning of this mural, Walker struggled to find a finishing point, reopening the package that was once wrapped, sealed and signed. Within a mural of such detail, imperfections are bound to be found. Walker found—and fixed—them all remaining in Carlsbad hours longer than anticipated.
If the devil was once in the details, the perfectionist in Walker eventually chased him out resulting in a masterpiece—a gift to the Carlsbad community steeped in perfection and composed of colorful characters all sharing a love for their sandy paradise.
Started in March 2015, Carlsbad Village based artist Bryan Snyder will be bringing a street artists/muralist every 2 months to paint a mural on the east facing wall of Señor Grubby’s in the Carlsbad Village.
The goal of the Carlsbad Art Wall is to serve as a conduit between aspiring artists and professional artists, to provide a platform to engage and educate the Carlsbad community in the creative act of large scale public painting and to introduce a variety of new art and creative processes to the Carlsbad community.
WHAT: 4th Thursday Art Walk WHERE: Carlsbad Village (map) WHEN: Thursday, March 24, 5pm–8
Carlsbad Village Art Walk will take place on the fourth Thursday of every month, beginning March 24th from 5pm to 8pm in collaboration with Cruising the Art Scene held at the Village Faire Shopping Center. This self-guided tour will introduce you to the wonderful stores, galleries, and even restaurants throughout the village that feature art by local and regional artists.
The evening will include original art in Carlsbad Village’s permanent galleries as well as village merchants acting as temporary “phantom” galleries. Several locations, including the Village Faire Shops, will also feature live music.
Participating merchants will feature artwork ranging from sculpture to oil painting to photography to mixed media, and everything in between. With brochure in hand you can stroll the village and visit as many or as few locations as you’d like, enjoy meeting the artists, learning about their talent and even watching art demos. Participating merchants will also be offering light snacks and refreshments as well.
To help with the self-guided tour, brochures will be available throughout the village at participating locations, the Visitor’s Center, and hotels complete with an easy-to-follow map identifying each Art Walk location and where music or demos will be taking place. The brochure will also indicate what type of art each participating location will be featuring (photography, sculpture, mixed media, etc.) to better help you customize your walk.
While strolling the streets, you can also take a visual journey of the Village’s rich culture and artistic talent through the lens of nearly a dozen murals adorning numerous buildings. From large playful pieces seen from the center of the Village to hidden works adorning alley walls, read about the tales behind the art, including the people, places and artists themselves, in the self-guided tour brochure.
Bryan Snyder, Carlsbad village artist and Carlsbad Art Wall creative director, has released an official Carlsbad Village Mural Map.
This map contains the ultimate guide to street art and murals varying from large scale commissioned murals to small and hidden stencils by a variety of local and visiting Carlsbad village artists.
Like public art, the nature of this map is ephemeral—lasting for only a short period before the next update. New art will be added while artwork effected by weather, censorship or gentrification will be deleted. Check back often for the most recent version.
WHAT: Sebastien Walker to paint Carlsbad Art Wall WHEN: March 26, 27 (all day) WHERE: Señor Grubby’s (map)
The Carlsbad Art Wall (CAW) project continues through its 2nd year with the wall’s first international artist. Parisian artist/designer Sebastien Walker, now living in Los Angeles, is scheduled to paint Saturday, March 26, 2016 at Señor Grubby’s in the Carlsbad Village. Mural to be completed Sunday, March 27.
Walker’s intertwining characters and iconography create a colorful universe composed of fun visuals steeped in a lifetime love for thick-outlined cartoons, but in fact, address adult matters on a higher level. Both adults and children gravitate toward Walker’s brightly colored and detailed collages while the most skilled artists marvel at his advanced spraycan technique.
Walker was born & raised in Paris, where he studied graphic design/illustration. He worked at a variety of design agencies in Paris prior to moving to Los Angeles in 2007. In 2011, Walker received a Master’s degree at Otis School of Art and Design. He has since worked as a freelance designer for clients including Hasbro, Bubba Watson, Remind Insoles, MTV and Nissan. He has also been a member of the highly respected ‘The Seventh Letter Crew’ graffiti crew.
In 2015, the east facing exterior wall of Señor Grubby’s rotated through 5 different CAW murals—each painted by a new Los Angeles street artist. Each artist was curated by Carlsbad village based artist Bryan Snyder with the goal of introducing new urban art to the Carlsbad community, as well as providing an educational setting for aspiring urban artists. In its 2nd year, the CAW will be painted by both local San Diego and Los Angeles artists. In addition, Snyder will host an urban art workshop for teens prior to each new mural through a community collaboration with the Carlsbad Boys and Girls Club.
The goal of the Carlsbad Art Wall is to serve as a conduit between aspiring artists and professional artists, to provide a platform to engage and educate the Carlsbad community in the creative act of large scale public painting and to introduce a variety of new art and creative processes to the Carlsbad community.
I first learned of the Measure A: Agua Hedionda Specific Plan through a conversation during a kayak fishing adventure on the very waters that ripple upon the land in debate. The chat with a fellow lagoon enthusiast ended with both our hands thrown in the air amid the realization that we couldn’t stop the proposed development even if we tried.
Unknowingly at that moment, I would later take the photo that became the imagery behind Carlsbad’s most passionate and determined voice—ultimately proving that we the people of the Carlsbad community can make a difference.
This is the story behind The Boy and the Red Pail photo…
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In November 2015, a mother of a friend whom I had grown up with on the shores of the Agua Hedionda lagoon contacted me asking if I had seen the recent news segments regarding the proposed lagoon development. She expressed her distaste for the art renderings she saw in these stories, which she felt portrayed the lagoon’s current amenities incorrectly. She asked if I could video the lagoon being enjoyed, which would then be supplied to local news channels as an accurate documentation of current lagoon use.
At this point my research was ongoing. I had signed the citizen referendum, but was still undecided. I felt I needed more time and information before I could make an educated vote, but agreed that the news clips portrayed the lagoon incorrectly.
I was introduced to Citizens for North County, a group of volunteers spearheading a movement against the proposed development who further explained that the clips would be submitted to local news channels to more accurately portray the lagoon. I agreed to help.
With camera in hand, I visited the lagoon the following day and explored the north coast shoreline. I entered near the former Snug Harbor Marina and walked southeast until sunset. I witnessed a local habitat animated with kayaks, fishermen, leash-less dogs, neighbors in conversation and even a pug-riding paddleboard. The lagoon was alive with leisure and recreation—I captured it all.
I felt an overwhelming warmth of love, pride and joy among those whom I shared the lagoon with that fall evening. As the sky dimmed from a fiery orange to a star-lit black, I returned home energized. I decided that I would return to the lagoon first thing the following morning to continue my documentation.
The lagoon, under thundering clouds and within a windy chill, greeted me and my family early the next morning. My two year old son Henry scampered along the sand while my wife Susanna tended to our newborn daughter Stella. Henry searched for critters and collected shells while kayakers floated within the rising tide.
Henry had his eye on a the top of a wind-blown bluff above the shoreline and soon attempted his ascent. He quickly lost his footing and slid back to the base. He picked himself up and continued on his knees—eventually finding his way to the zenith of his adventure. To his surprise, a lonely red pail awaited atop the bluff.
Barefoot and with eyes still adjusting to the awakening morning sun, Henry stood atop the bluff overlooking the lagoon and the distant strawberry fields. The encroached-on Encina Power Plant looms momentarily in the background. Henry’s favorite flannel, faded and tattered, fit snug around his stocky frame and his strawberry blond hair blew across his eyes.
Between gazes, Henry dipped his fingers into the red pail where he found wet sand abandoned by the child whom last played with this forgotten toy. I witnessed my son play on the shore of the lagoon much like my mother witnessed me at that very spot decades prior. My hands shook with excitement as the found pail, my first born child and the significance of the surrounding elements embraced my son in a composition that could not be staged even if I tried. I snapped a series of photos and video in an unbelievable frenzy. Uncertain of where this photo would end up, I anticipated it’s historic relevance.
The video of Henry and the red pail, as well as video captured during the previous evening was submitted to Citizens of North County as a donation. No payment was accepted and because I felt an endorsement would be premature due to my ongoing research, I requested all photo credit to remain anonymous.
My submitted clips never found airtime on local news. Besides a video edited by Citizens for North County concluding with a short clip of Henry and the red pail, these clips were for the most part unused. I decided that I would consider using the photo of Henry within an annual Carlsbad Local’s Calendar, a local business sponsored wall calendar I produce each year. I contacted committed 2016 calendar sponsors and explained the story behind the photo, as well as the potential connection to the growing No on A movement. Because there was not a 100% consensus on supporting the use of the photo among calendar sponsors, I decided to remove it.
Shortly after Citizens for North County contacted me and asked to use the photo as their main campaign branding. Originally my chosen means to share the photo with the public was through the calendar, but I later realized that the photo always belonged with the lagoon and the citizens attempting to save it. I gladly granted permission and proudly watched The Boy and the Red Pail imagery evolve to what it represents today—a wholehearted love for Carlsbad and a passionate community determined to protect it.
On February 23, I will be voting NO on Measure A: Agua Hedionda South Shore Specific Plan.
I have carefully read the entire Measure A, the official 9212 Report, the 2006 approved Prop. D and the subsequent Prop. D Community Engagement Process Final Report. I have met with both the Yes and No supporters directly expressing my concerns and asking questions. I have been given a private tour of the proposed land by Carlsbad Strawberry Co. owner and SG&E tenant Jimmy Ukegawa. I have attended village merchant meetings and engaged Rick Caruso in person and on the phone. I have attended City of Carlsbad council meetings and I have spoken extensively with Carlsbad citizens and village merchants.
Through my research I have learned that traffic is projected to get worse with or without the proposed mall due to nearly 20 other City of Carlsbad approved future developments. The City Council has exhibited a pro-development position and looks to drastically change the Carlsbad landscape. It is paramount that we consider ways to reduce regional traffic growth. Adding a 585,000 sq. ft. mall projected to attract nearly as many people annually as Disneyland is NOT a way to limit traffic growth. I have also found multiple exemptions within the official 9212 report which results in Caruso drafting his ideal agreement exempting himself from a number of preexisting city codes and requirements i.e., sign restrictions, soil testing for harmful toxins, limiting future City review. Through his vagueness, as well as his successful bid to bypass the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), Caruso asks us for trust.
I ask you if Caruso has exhibited trust? We are voting on Feb. 23 because Caruso was able to gather enough signatures through his citizen-led initiative backed by the guise of saving the “beloved” strawberry fields. Was a 585,00 sq. ft. mall ever mentioned when you were approached by the army of Caruso’s signature gatherers, or in the many high-end marketing materials that flooded your mailbox, television screens and/or your web browser? Within the $7 million marketing campaign, the most important detail—a mall—was left out, a mall that is so large that Caruso is attempting to rezone the pre-existing land to allow it. Are you one of the many Carlsbad locals who feel duped by a deceptive marketing campaign? You are not alone.
This is not an attempt to persuade your vote, rather an announcement of MY upcoming informed vote. This decision is based on months of research, meetings and a detailed investigation of ethical practices. I have friends, collectors and clients on both sides of Measure A and respect each and every one of their perspectives. This is mine.
Please feel free to contact me directly with any questions regarding Measure A: Agua Hedionda South Shore Specific Plan., as well as info on where to vote on Feb. 23.
Published January 26th, 2016 in art and events.Closed
click photos to enlarge
With the recent completion of five murals in its inaugural year, the Carlsbad Art Wall (CAW) began it’s 2nd season on Saturday, January 16, 2016 with Encinitas muralist Skye Walker on the east facing exterior wall of Señor Grubby’s in the Carlsbad Village.
Unlike the previous CAW artists, Walker is a local. His work can be seen all over North County; it has graced the cover of the San Diego CityBeat and his canvas paintings can be found within the walls of many local collectors’ homes.
Walker’s newest mural titled Actuality reflects his San Diego roots with oceanic and environmental themed iconography symbolizing one’s place within their surroundings, the environment and the full circle of life.
This compartmentalized 25′ x 13′ mural includes a wide variety of imagery, each in itself a separate composition, but as a whole, a brightly colored collage of spray-painted talents.
Mother Nature, a seductive yet fragile woman with crimson lips gasps deeply as a arrangement of hammerhead sharks flutters overhead. A perfectly rendered skull radiates with energy as to represent life rather than death, and a collection of colorful abstractions holds the collage tightly together.
Walker promptly began work early Saturday morning by unloading his truck laden of GoPro cameras, reference sketches, Kind Bar snacks, sponsor hook-ups and multiple boxes of spray-cans, many which were emptied on Walker’s newest urban canvas.
As the sun raised high and the mid-winter sky shined a comfortable beam of warmth, Walker began covering the wall with his preliminary colors. Carlsbad locals and visiting enthusiasts, many whom Walker already knew, watched from the sidelines. Others brought their own chairs and sat for hours in the moist green grass.
Walker worked feverishly though his mural, but always made time for requested photos, school interviews, a tasty Grubby’s taco and often welcomed conversation amongst the constant flow of fans, which occurred constantly throughout each day.
Within a mural of many images, an eye for composition is crucial. Walker’s design could stand alone on the head of a needle. Day one ended with balance, day two began with detail. Carefully sprayed highlights of Mother Natures lips glistened, swirling abstractions balanced and diagonal stripes guided. Walkers sprays became smaller, tighter and more precise as his shapes took dimension.
Passersby awed at the colors, the perfectly rendered woman and the crowd favorite Hammerhead sharks as Walker sprayed his final touches. After two days, countless photos and unforgettable conversations with life-long friends, as well and new friendships, Walker looked at his newest mural with great accomplishment as the surrounding onlookers looked at him with gratitude.
The inaugural year of the Carlsbad Art Wall showcased visiting artists from LA including a collection of 5 murals introducing new and visually foreign design to the Carlsbad village. As reflected in Walker’s mural, the CAW 2nd year has returned to its roots making a full-circle back to local iconography, local talents—and a year long local yearning.
Started in March 2015, Carlsbad Village based artist Bryan Snyder will be bringing a street artists/muralist every 2 months to paint a mural on the east facing wall of Señor Grubby’s in the Carlsbad Village.
The goal of the Carlsbad Art Wall is to serve as a conduit between aspiring artists and professional artists, to provide a platform to engage and educate the Carlsbad community in the creative act of large scale public painting and to introduce a variety of new art and creative processes to the Carlsbad community.
On Tuesday, January 11, Bryan Snyder of Snyder Art and Design ran a community street art workshop with a group of interested teens from the Carlsbad Village Boys and Girls Club at Señor Grubby’s in the Carlsbad village.
Six teens listened to Snyder as he introduced himself, the workshop and Carlsbad’s first recreational urban art environment titled the Carlsbad Art Wall.
Snyder began the workshop with the history of street art and graffiti and how this movement has recently made the transition from vandalism to—in many communities—sanctioned and widely supported.
After a short introduction to the spray can, the teens were each invited to spray a giant circle on the freshly painted urban canvas. Snyder explained that the workshop’s lesson was to teach each teen how to transform the preliminary circle into a three-dimensional sphere focusing on shape, color, light source and shading.
The floating circles took form as Snyder offered guidance. Teens learned can control and technique while passersby watched and asked questions from the sidelines. The first half of the workshop was organized within a structured set of steps.
Though Snyder has been taught in the structured art academia setting, he believes it is important to balance structure with exercises in uninhibited bursts of creativity. Snyder encouraged the teens to freely transform their spheres into a design of their choice relying on instinct and creativity. The Carlsbad Art Wall quickly turned into a colorful collaboration of text, flowers and abstractions.
The street art workshop taught these kids basic elements of drawing, street art techniques using the spray can, and concluded with each teen taking turns buffing the wall completely white—ultimately teaching a lesson that street art is ephemeral—beautifully temporary.
This workshop is funded in part by a community arts grant from the City of Carlsbad Cultural Arts Office.
Carlsbad Art Wall returns in 2016 with a City of Carlsbad Community Arts Grant
Encinitas artist Skye Walker kicks off the 2016 Carlsbad Art Wall project
WHAT: Skye Walker to paint the Carlsbad Art Wall WHEN: Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 16-17, 2016, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. WHERE: Señor Grubby’s (map)
January 6, 2016 – Carlsbad – The Carlsbad Art Wall (CAW) project begins its 2nd season in 2016 under a partial funding City of Carlsbad Community Arts Grant. Encinitas muralist Skye Walker kicks off the CAW season on Saturday, January 16, 2016 at Señor Grubby’s in the Carlsbad Village. Mural to be completed Sunday, January 17.
In 2015, the east facing exterior wall of Señor Grubby’s rotated through 5 different CAW murals—each painted by a new Los Angeles street artist. Each artist was curated by Carlsbad village based artist Bryan Snyder with the goal of introducing new urban art to the Carlsbad community, as well as providing an educational setting for aspiring urban artists.
Snyder plans on continuing the rotation of artists every two months like he curated in 2015. Differences in 2016 include involving local artists in the rotation. In addition, Snyder will host an urban art workshop for teens prior to each new mural through a community collaboration with the Carlsbad Boys and Girls Club.
“2015 introduced Carlsbad to some amazing visiting Los Angeles talents,” Snyder said. “I am very excited to open up the wall to local artists too, and use the CAW urban canvas as an urban classroom environment where I will teach teens from the Boys and Girls Club some basic drawing skills in the urban public space—think Mark Kistler street art!”
The first 2016 CAW artist Skye Walker will bring his life-long love for illustration, design and mural painting to the CAW with his signature colorful composition of nature and environmentally conscious iconography. Walker found his love for art in his early youth while traveling the country with the family bluegrass band named EarthWalkers. They logged over 2,000 shows nationwide singing about preserving the environment. During this time, Walker’s father taught him the art of lettering and murals. His father was an accomplished sign painter and muralist in the 70’s and 80’s.
Walker’s early art talents earned him a four-year scholarship to Oregon State University in route to a BFA in graphic design. Walker’s art career has taken him to professional collaborations with many companies including: Rip Curl, Redsand, prAna, Dragon and Nike, as well a commercial murals for Whole Foods and the California Coast Credit Union.
WHAT: Holiday Event at Viz Ink Art WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 28 | 5pm-9pm WHERE: Viz Art Ink Gallery (map)
Viz Art Ink want sto make your holiday shopping experience fun and easy with over 20 unique local artists throughout gallery. On Small Business Saturday, come join Greg Visintainer for his Annual Holiday Gallery Event.
Chris Moberg will be playing LIVE and Samantha Dulay Designs will be a featured artist. There will be FREE wine & beer, chocolate treats from the Carlsbad Chocolate Bar, 15% OFF storewide and a chance to win over $200 in art and prizes.
WIN a Viz Art Ink prize package, custom bangle by Samantha Dulay Designs and much more! Winners must be present to win. Contest drawings will be at 7pm and 9pm.
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