By Judy Salamacha
If there were ever a year to seek kindness and joy, 2016 might be it.
Central Coast communities are offering up a variety of holiday traditions to inspire families and neighbors to come out and celebrate the season together. Showing up might produce those warm-and-fuzzy feelings that generate hugs and hope for good things to happen in 2017.
For example, since 1993 the Arroyo Grande Village Improvement Association has energized December on Branch Street with everything about Christmas. It started with lights in store windows, and then in 2009, the association and city leaders collaborated to enhance the area with festive lighting in the street trees.
Bob Lund manages events and beautification efforts for both the Improvement Association and Arroyo Grande in Bloom. “The Village is the heart of the community,” he said. “Christmas in the Village begins with Santa’s arrival at the Conrad House. We’ve had four Santa’s in 25 years. They are wonderful because they look like Santa all year long.”
Unique to Arroyo Grande is “Elegant Christmas in the Village,” from 4-8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4.
“Verena Maier heads the event she started eleven years ago,” Lund said. “Everyone dresses up. Luminaries decorate the streets. Bagpipers and children stroll and carol. Our merchants decorate their stores and offer treats. It’s a time to be with neighbors and enjoy the season.”
Morro Bay has a new, community-wide event, the “12 Days of Christmas.” Each day from Dec. 1-12, introduces a different experience. According to event chairwoman, Sophia Tolle, owner of Poppy’s Boutique, “All participating merchants are also coming up with their own special promotions.”
Some 45 businesses are collaborating to provide activities, discounts, prizes, and hospitality.
Santa visits Grandma’s Frozen Yogurt (at Morro Bay Blvd. and Main St.) Saturdays, Dec. 3 and 10. Downtown stores like Summer Cottage, Beads by the Bay and Queen’s Closet will have open houses and prizes on Thursday, Dec. 1. Tuesday, Dec. 6 features wine tasting at Morro Bay Wine Sellers (in Marina Square), La Vida Roca and more.
From 3-6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 7 at the Giant Chessboard in Centennial Park, children can select a uniquely shaped free balloon. Embarcadero merchants will hold open houses on Dec. 10 and on the 12th an elf and snowman will stroll the Embarcadero with candy canes for the children.
Immerse yourself in Christmas on Dec. 10, as the Los Osos Christmas Parade starts at 10 a.m. followed by the 11th Annual Needs ‘N Wishes Holiday Fundraiser for the Homeless.
It’s a joyful day of giving and receiving at the South Bay Community Center stocking up on Christmas gifts while benefitting others. Head elf, Richard Margetson, said 100-percent of the proceeds go to benefit the Maxine Lewis Memorial Shelter in SLO, Transitional Food and Shelter, and the SLO Noor Clinic.
Open from 10-7 p.m. there will be live music, food, Santa, deeply discounted children’s gifts and donated silent auction items for anyone else on a Christmas list. All donations are tax-deductible. What’s not joyous about a win-win for everyone?
Feel the glow in Cayucos with a free, and elegant ride down Ocean Avenue in a horse-drawn carriage, courtesy of the town’s merchants at the “9th Annual Christmas in Cayucos.”
Offerings include children’s activities, strolling carolers, refreshments and special shopping offers to add joy for the season.
The Morro Bay Rotary Club sponsors and Harbor Director, Eric Endersby, and Cathy Novak, will organize the Annual Morro Bay Lighted Boat Parade, which has been moved to Saturday, Dec. 10 from its normal date on the first Saturday in December. This is because the tides on the 3rd will be potentially dangerous.
The parade begins at 6:30 p.m., while early festivities begin at 3:30 pm according to Morro Bay Rotary Club’s event chairman, Don Doubledee.
New this year is snow for the kids at Tidelands Park. “Yes, SNOW!” Doubledee said. “At about 5 p.m. a stacked crab cages Christmas tree, designed by Central Coast Women for Fisheries, will be lighted. And Santa and Mrs. Claus will have cookies for the kids.”
Doubledee noted that the tall ships, Lady Washington and Hawaiian Chieftain, are due in Morro Bay Dec. 1. Participation in the parade is pending sponsorship for lighting not carried regularly onboard.
And if none of these events can make you joyful, then Oceano’s Great American Melodrama promises even Scrooge will find the Christmas spirit in their family-friendly, holiday extravaganza, running through New Year’s Eve. “Our triple bill…is designed to bring you a year’s worth of smiles.”
And if that can’t make you joyful, maybe it’s the year to wash 2016 completely out of our hair, dress up in a new and different mental “outfit” and join the hordes of folks from across the globe on New Year’s Day in Cayucos for the 36th Annual Carlin Soule’ Memorial Polar Bear Dip in the Pacific Ocean. That event starts at high noon. Brrrr…
See page 26 for upcoming holiday events.
Freelance writer, columnist and author, Judy Salamacha’s Then & Now column is a regular feature of Simply Clear Marketing and Media. Contact her at: [email protected] or (805) 801-1422 with story ideas.
