CoveFest Success

By Tasha McMaster
Staff Writer

This past Saturday, September 20th, Redondo Beach turned into a hub for young people at its third annual Covefest, a youth-centered celebration of creativity and community, taking place at Allcove Beach Cities. The festival promised participants from 12 to 25 an afternoon immersed in art, music, games, and food, all while connecting with peers – and it definitely delivered.

Walking in, the space felt alive.The first 100 people to register scored free T-shirts, instantly giving the event a fun and exclusive feel. The atmosphere was full of energy, with walls covered in paintings, stations set up for hands-on creativity, and the sound of live music resonating through the space.

The art showcase was one of the highlights of the event. Local students and young artists displayed their paintings, photos, and even mixed-media projects. Instead of being similar to a typical gallery where silence is implied, it was relaxed and interactive. The casual atmosphere made it easy to engage without making it feel like you had to “know” art to enjoy it.

The interactive stations were another fun touch, and they went beyond the usual drawing and painting. At Covefest, you were able to make slime and craft your own bracelets, which quickly became popular amongst teens. Regardless of what you chose to participate in, the vibe remained creative yet low-pressure. Even people who didn’t consider themselves as “creative” seemed to get into it and find joy in it.

And then there was the music. Coverfest brought in local performers, including Mira Costa’s own students, who kept the energy flowing all afternoon. Some played acoustic sets you could chill to, while others had more upbeat songs that made people gather around to dance. It gave the whole festival a live and enticing soundtrack that made it hard to leave.

What stood out the most, though, was how the event was celebrated and centered around young people. It wasn’t about adults telling students what to do, it was about giving teens and young adults a safe space to find their creativity, perform, and spend time together. Covefest made it clear that South Bay’s youth has immense talent and energy that needs to be in the spotlight.

By the end of the day, Covefest showed why it keeps coming back year after year. For students looking for something different to do on a weekend, it was the perfect mix of art, music, and community. If the past three years are any sign, Covefest is only going to continue to get bigger and better.