Share your stories as the city recalls 1970 Christmas Happening

The Laguna Beach Historical Society will hold a free discussion April 7 of the peace-promoting festival known as the Christmas Happening.

Neil Purcell, Laguna’s former police chief, will talk about the lead-up to and the aftermath of a gathering that drew 25,000 people to Laguna Canyon on Christmas Day in 1970, according to a news release.

“Conceived as an entirely free music festival with inspirational and spiritual speakers, the event ended up being so good in some ways, and so bad in others, that it was as though the tune of the hippie era had played its last resounding notes to Laguna Beach and anyone else who might be listening,” Laguna Beach Magazine wrote.

Participants of the Christmas Happening are encouraged to attend and share their stories. The event begins at 7:30 p.m. at City Hall, 505 Forest Ave. Laguna residents can watch the program live on Cox channel 852.