Hermosa Beach Council approves Smackfest, with changes
Players of all skill levels – and attire – pose for a pre-tournament photo at the 21st edition of Smackfest. Photo By Ryan McDonald The Hermosa Beach City Council approved the city’s annual calendar of large special events Tuesday night, paving the way for the return of Smackfest in July. Almost all of the council’s discussion of the calendar, which governs events drawing more than 500 people, pertained to Smackfest, a co-ed, four-person volleyball tournament that typically features hundreds of competitors in wild costumes. The council appeared committed to keeping the tournament, which is entering its 23rd year and is composed almost entirely of local players. But they sought to counter the event’s reputation for heavy alcohol consumption. The council upheld a staff recommendation prohibiting alcohol companies from sponsoring Smackfest; Budlight has previously been a top sponsor. Event organizers promised that this year would be different. “We did some things over the winter to make it more of a family-friendly, athletic event,” Smackfest founder Bill Sigler told the council. “We’re going to make it something the city can be proud of.” The modifications that Sigler referred to…
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