Holiday happenings will keep you in a festive moodHoliday happenings will keep you in a festive moodDecember 5, 2003
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas, everywhere you go... Some may say that the start of the Christmas season is the Friday after Thanksgiving, but here in Oakley it begins in earnest this evening when local clubs and organizations kick off their parade of holiday events.
For those looking to get in the mood of this holiday season, the events happening this weekend are a good way to start. Why wait in the nasty mall lines to take the kids to see Santa when there will be no shortage of opportunities to take the young ones to see Santa in Oakley over the holiday season.
The happenings kick off this evening at Laurel School where the PTA will be offering its annual Pizza with Santa event. Children will have the opportunity to make holiday crafts, sing carols and sit on the big guy's lap and tell him all of their wants for the coming holiday. Photos with Santa will be available for a nominal fee and proceeds will help support Laurel School activities for the coming year. The event will take place from 5 to 8 p.m.
For those who decide to crash the mall on Friday evening before the weekend rush and miss the Laurel School event, Saturday will give you plenty of opportunity to get in the swing of things.
The day kicks off with a Breakfast with Santa at 9 a.m. at Vintage Parkway School. The event includes activities for the children, a wishing tree, crafts, a pancake breakfast and photos with Santa.
Still looking for more fun throughout the day? Then try Freedom High School's annual Safe and Sober Grad Night Holiday Boutique from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the multipurpose room. The event will include crafts and a game area for children and pictures with Santa. Bring a letter for Santa from your child and the school will make sure Santa gets it.
Saturday evening starting at 5:30 p.m. the Oakley Chamber of Commerce will host its annual Christmas Tree Lighting at O'Hara Park. The tree, which is located on the corner of Cypress Road and O'Hara Avenue, was planted when the park was first opened 15 years ago and the Chamber has been lighting it ever since.
The event will include cookies and hot cocoa, crafts, caroling, the tree lighting ceremony and pictures with Santa. There will be all kinds of musical entertainment from schools including Liberty High School, Deer Valley High School and some surprise guests. The event is free and so are the cookies and drinks. Pictures with Santa will be available for a nominal fee.
Gehringer School will be hosting its annual Winter Social on Dec. 12 starting at 6 p.m. The event features spaghetti, ice cream and Santa.
Delta Vista Middle School will have its Winter Concert on Dec. 12 from 6 to 9 p.m.
Oakley School will offer its annual Santa Breakfast on Dec. 14. There will be a pancake breakfast, including arts and crafts and fun for all ages. Again there will be a visit from Santa.
On Dec. 18, O'Hara Park Middle School will be judging its annual Holiday Door Decorating event. Students from each classroom work to put together the best door display. Winners of the contest are treated to a pizza lunch. The event is put on by the leadership club.The school also will present its annual Winter Music Concert on Dec. 11.
Now, it is important to attend one of these events to get you in the spirit to make those fabulous outdoor displays this year. Be ready by Dec. 15, because that is the day that my son Ben and I will be out catching the displays and listing the most interesting and fun ones in my annual holiday lights column that will run on Dec. 19.
Roni Gehlke's column on life in Oakley appears each week in the Brentwood News.
Distributed by the Contra Costa Times