May 7, 2013 -- Downtown Santa Monica took on a decidedly British bent last weekend as it held its first-ever Spring Jubilee to celebrate BritWeek.

The two-day festival on Third Street Promenade and at Santa Monica Place featured environmentally-focused vendors, gardens designed by leading landscape architects and designers, live entertainment, speakers and demonstrations, all with a distinctly British flair.

“This was a community-wide event which showcased the best in spring flora, fashion and fun; and through our partnership with BritWeek, we celebrated British culture with a variety of special events and experiences,” said Debbie Lee, vice president of Downtown Santa Monica, Inc.

The festivities kicked off with an exclusive Downton Abbey Vintage Party on Friday, May 3rd at the Fairmont Miramar Hotel that honored the shows executive producer, Gareth Neame and cast member Laura Carmichael (Lady Edith Crawley).

Later in the weekend Peter Asher played a selection of Peter & Gordon hits and was joined by Denny Laine, co-founder of the Moody Blues and Wings, and Terry Sylvester of the Hollies, for a live performance of The Beatles’ “Abbey Road” album.

The weekend festivities also highlighted local landscape architects and designers who competed to design and build sustainable, eco-friendly “Urban Tea Garden” vignettes displayed on each of the Promenade’s three blocks.

BE Designs/Minanda Landscape Design received the $500 grand prize and a trophy. Judges included Santa Monica Mayor Pam O’Conner, celebrity interior designer Martyn Lawrence Bullard, award-winning author Lady Terry Robinson, British fashion icon Zandra Rhodes and community leader, Donna Wolfe.

Other Spring Jubilee entertainment included bilingual pop music for families and kids, a live art demonstration by world famous street artists Eine Man One and Mear One, live comedy shows by local comedy troupe M.I. Westside Comedy Theater and a special performance by the Culver City English Country Dancers

“In addition, Chef Lisa Fontenesi from The Jamie Oliver Food Foundation taught kids about the importance of nutrition, local urban beekeepers Honey Love discussed the bee’s vital role in ecology, Conscious Living Landscapes focused on the healing power of plants, and others were featured in the Jamie Oliver Food Foundation Outdoor Classroom,” Downtown officials said.