Tarfest will feature concerts and art displays in Pan Pacific Park. (photo courtesy of LAUNCH LA)

The music, art and community togetherness of Tarfest returns on June 10, from 2-7 p.m. at Pan Pacific Park.

Presented by LAUNCH LA, the 20th annual Tarfest will celebrate the talent of local artists and will feature numerous musical performances. The festival returns as an in-person event for the first time since 2019, following three years of virtual programming during the pandemic. Founded in the Miracle Mile and named for the tar that oozes from the ground, the festival is moving this year from the park around the La Brea Tar Pits and Museum to Pan Pacific Park through a partnership with the city of Los Angeles.

“It’s about community. It really brings back a sense of community,” said James Panozzo, executive director of LAUNCH LA and co-founder of Tarfest. “The space is beautiful and perfect for a mid-sized festival. We are trying to build a foundation for future years. I think we have found our new home.”

Tarfest will be held in the grassy area near the northern end of Pan Pacific Park, near Holocaust Museum Los Angeles and the Pan Pacific Park Recreation Center. Live music will be curated by Raghav Desai of Minty Boi Presents, and Jamel Johnson will host the program. The Steens and Marinero will perform, as well as headliner NIIA. The Korean Cultural Center Los Angeles will present the K-pop music project Lalary. Mister Pyschedelia will provide live sound production for Tarfest 2023.

Art is a key component of Tarfest, and installations include “Be Happy” by Dani Dodge, “Bearing Witness” by Pam Douglas and “Bionic Eden” by Snezana Petrovic. Audience members can immerse themselves in a large-scale drawing wall session led by TAG Gallery and the Southern California Women’s Caucus for the Arts. Blick Art Materials is sponsoring the drawing wall project.

Children will enjoy face painters, balloon artists and fun surprises throughout the festival grounds. Intergenerational hip-hop and breakdancing collective Justice by Uniting in Creative Energy, also known as JUiCE, will conduct dance workshops. The Petersen Automotive Museum and WAYMO will also display vehicles and host activities.

Those 21 and older can enjoy the CLARK Construction Biergarten and Cocktail Lounge, which will offer selections from Angel City Brewing Company and a specialty cocktail from Tito’s Handmade Vodka. Some of Los Angeles’ most popular gourmet food trucks will be present including Baby’s Badass Burgers, Rice Balls of Fire, The Deli Doctor, LA Street EatZ and Scooter’s Italian Ice.

“Tarfest has been part of the L.A. community for 20 years, remaining an annual free event through massive changes that have transformed the city,” Panozzo said. “This festival is about holding a mirror to our large diverse community, by honoring what’s best about our city and its institutions in the creative core of Los Angeles.”

Additional supporters include the Japan Foundation Los Angeles, KCCLA, the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, the Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture, Los Angeles City Councilwoman Katy Yaroslavsky, Metro, the California Arts Council, Gloria Molina Grand Park, reDiscover Center, the La Brea Tar Pits and Museum, Holocaust Museum L.A. and Television City. Overflow parking available at The Grove (enter the parking structure on Grove Drive next to the park). Admission is free and the one-day festival is open to all ages. Pan Pacific Park is located at 7600 Beverly Blvd. For information, visit tarfest.com.