Over three decades ago, the Peninsula Committee Los Angeles Philharmonic conceived an idea to financially benefit the Los Angeles Philharmonic, culturally enrich the community and provide support for youth music education in the South Bay. Thus, the Peninsula Music Fair was born. Although the beginnings were modest, the Music Fair has increased in scope and format as the years have progressed.

The Music Fair has always provided a variety of music to satisfy a wide range of musical taste. There have been Dixieland bands, jazz groups, classical chamber music, big band and swing groups, brass quintets, blue grass and country bands, hip-hop dance, ethnic music and dance, Renaissance consorts, children's music, storytellers, puppet shows and workshops. Also, the outstanding music students in our local high schools have been featured in various performance ensembles.

In recent years, the line-up of musicians has been incredible, including David Benoit, jazz piano; Poncho Sanchez, congas; Bobby Rodriguez, jazz trumpet; Eric Marienthal, sax; Sir Angel Romero, classical guitar; various chamber ensembles of LA Phil musicians; the Firebird Quartet, performing Russian and Ukrainian balalaika music; John Zeretzke; Flamenco dancers and Jazz Tap dance. The children's area has featured Jim Gamble and his puppet shows; Dan Crow; the Happy Crowd; storytellers Ellaraino, Diane Ferlatte and David Prather; Sandra Clay music workshops; harmonica and recorder workshops and a craft center.  Extremely talented, local, young performers have also been presented, such as Timothy Braun, violin; Esther Keel, piano; Caroline Kung, flute; and Sebastian Chang, piano.

For almost 30 years, the Peninsula Music Fair was held at the beautiful Chadwick School at the top of Academy Hill.  But, in 2002, the Music Fair re-located to the Palos Verdes High School Campus on Cloyden Road in Palos Verdes Estates. The new venue allows for easier access, adjacent parking, more spacious facilities, and cool ocean breezes. In the early years, picnic food was prepared by the members in their own kitchens. But for many years now, delicious food, beverages and snacks have been available for a modest price from some of the South Bay's favorite restaurants.

Combined with the revenues from ticket and food sales at the Fair, the financial goals of the Music Fair have been met through generous donations from local businesses, foundations and individuals, from proceeds of the Fair Opportunity Drawing, and from donor events and auctions held prior to the Fair.