Winterfest, Olde
Fashioned Christmas entertain one and all
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Residents
and visitors to the valley spent the Nov. 30-Dec. 2 weekend participating in
festive holiday activities.
The
events included lighting Christmas trees, enjoying a parade down Mission Drive
in Solvang, singing and dancing Danish style in the park, and remembering the
solemn reason for the season during Winterfest in
Solvang and Olde Fashioned Christmas activities in
Los Olivos.
The 57th annual Solvang tree lighting
ceremony Nov. 30 at Solvang Park included music and dance performances by the
Valley Wind Ensemble, Fossemalle Dance Studio, and
the Santa Ynez Valley Presbyterian Church Choir.
The
parade on Dec. 1 traveled down Mission Drive from Old Mission Santa Ines and
included more than 50 entries. The Grand Marshall was David Watts, owner of Jule Hus, which celebrated its 40th anniversary this year.
Lauren Watts, designer of the Jule Hus float, said
the theme of their float followed Danish traditions and featured family members
and employees.
“Jesus
is the heart of the Danish Christmas,” she said. “That is why we had Danish
hearts all around our float this year.”
Another
float in the parade, sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints, depicted a live nativity scene. “We wanted to make sure everyone
remembered the birth of Christ this season,” said Andrea Matthews, designer of
that entry.
The
LDS church also offers an upcoming live nativity celebration, ’Twas a Midnight Clear, on Dec. 9, at 6 p.m. at the Solvang
Ward, 2627 Janin Way. The Santa Ynez
Valley Chorale, singing from Handel’s “Messiah;” the Central City Chordsmen and Quartet; the Solvang, Goleta and El Camino
LDS Choirs; and Josh Messina, as well as other soloists, will perform. After
the presentation, visitors can view the live nativity and several unusual
crèches while they enjoy refreshments.
Continuing
the Solvang tradition for the 12th year, the Community Nativity Pageant will be
held Dec. 8 at 5 and 7 p.m. at Solvang’s Theaterfest.
The free, outdoor event, co-sponsored by the Petersen Inn, includes a volunteer
cast and features actor Efrem Zimbalist, Jr., as
narrator of The Christmas Story, and Samuel DePalma,
opera singer.
Prior to the show at 4:15 p.m., the Santa Ynez Valley Performing Arts will perform an array of classical ballet choreographies. Between the two
performances, the 34-member Valley Wind Ensemble will offer a variety of
popular Christmas carols. Lady Marjorie Tayloe
started the pageant tradition, and this year’s presentation is being organized
by Steven R. Battaglia