Holiday events offer fun for all agesHoliday events offer fun for all agesDecember 3, 2004
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 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.
Look for some changes at the city's hometown Christmas tree lighting. The new committee is making some changes they are sure you are going to like. Instead of starting Saturday evening the event will begin at 4 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 hot drinks, caroling, the tree lighting ceremony, a candy cane hunt and pictures with Santa. There will be all kinds of musical entertainment. Bring a canned food and be entered in a raffle to win prizes. For more information, call the Chamber at 625-1035.
It may be a little tricky for parents who have children at Gehringer School, as well as Delta Vista Middle school or even O'Hara Park Middle School, but if you have a chance, make an evening of it Dec. 9. Should be a blast.
Gehringer School will be hosting its annual Winter Social on Dec. 9 starting at 6 p.m. The event features spaghetti, ice cream and jolly ol' Saint Nick.
Looking for a place where you can hum along and enjoy some of your favorite holiday tunes? Check out the Delta Vista Middle School's Winter Concert on Dec. 9 from 6 to 9 p.m.
O'Hara Park Middle School will be hosting a similar event at their school this same evening. The Winter Music Concert has been a favorite of families since the school opened more than 15 years ago.
Oakley School will offer its annual Santa Breakfast on Dec. 11. There will be a pancake breakfast, including arts and crafts and fun for all ages. Again there will be a visit from Santa.
Now, it is important to attend one of these events to get you in the spirit to make those fabulous outdoor displays at your home this year. Be ready by Dec. 13, 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. 24.
Roni Gehlke's column on life in Oakley appears each week in the Brentwood News.
Distributed by the Contra Costa Times