By Rhea-Frances Tetley
Staff Writer
This December, Crestline will be celebrating “Holidays in the Pines” all month long with many activities for all. It began on Nov. 29 with Santa arriving to Breakfast with Santa at 9 a.m. at Mountain Cravings in Top Town Crestline. Not only was Santa there but his elves were there to help set up photos. The Grinch would sneak into the photos and photo bomb them.
At 2 p.m. Santa arrived at the Foxhound studios on Lake Drive in Lake Gregory Village, between the Crestline Café and the Arrowhead Credit Union. Inside the Foxhound lobby Santa and Mrs. Claus were waiting to hear the children’s holidays wishes. On Saturdays until Christmas – Dec. 6, Dec. 13 and Dec. 20 – Santa will be available at Foxhound for visiting with children from 2 to 4 p.m. Parents bring your cameras.
In the covered alcove adjacent to the lobby is a table for writing letters to Santa and a giant mailbox. Next to that is a miniature sleigh where children or pets may also sit for photos. Or you may sit there yourself to snap a selfie. A large size rocking horse is also in the alcove, again perfect for photos of adults or children. These activities and a Santa visit are free, as it is coordinated and sponsored by the Crestline Chamber of Commerce as part of the holiday spirit.
On each of those Saturdays, the town will be filled with holiday carolers from various churches, Scout groups, Rachel Murray’s Vocal Academy and the schools, all out to share their smalltown cheer. Some carolers will be walking throughout town, spreading holiday cheer to neighbors, visitors and local shops, just like a mountaintop North Pole. Enjoy the friendly small town mountain spirit, amid festive tunes.
Santa with Mrs. Claus in the Foxhound studio.
During November, many community volunteers helped install some colorful new decorations that look like tree ornaments. Other volunteers wrapped garlands on tall posts and even set up a little diorama next to Higher Grounds in their rowboat with a cute teddy bear. The stores have stepped up and added festive lights on their store fronts all along Lake Drive.
Crestline merchants have picked up pre-lit Christmas trees from the chamber office to decorate and enter the tree decorating contest. Visitors can judge the trees and pick their favorites, voting at Visitcrestline.org. For more information, contact the Crestline Chamber of Commerce at (909) 338-2706.
The Shop Small Holidays Bingo Card is now available. Pick up a card at a local chamber member merchant and get stickers by buying at the local stores and collecting a sticker for each purchase. Each sticker gives the customer an extra entry into the drawing that will be held on Jan. 9.
A special Shop Small Saturday vendors marketplace was set up on Nov. 29 in front of Higher Grounds. These local merchants, many who are well-known in the community from the summer Friday night markets, offered a wide variety of gift and holiday items.
The Crestline Arts District is hosting a scavenger hunt this month. Get a scavenger hunt list and visit the merchants, write down the answers and return the entry to Molly’s Art Gallery. The winners will be drawn from those entries returned with correct answers.
On Monday, Dec. 1, the Crestline community Christmas tree was lit after a countdown yelled across the lake, during the Goodwin’s Family Christmas Bonfire held in Lake Gregory’s North Shore parking lot, across the street from Goodwin’s Market.
The large bonfire was built in the middle of the parking lot by County Fire firefighters. Santa arrived on a loud fire engine and heard the children’s requests; those 10 and under received a small present from Santa. There were hot dogs and warm drinks supplied by Goodwin’s Market, with a band playing and booths from the various churches with games for the kids. As the evening progressed, the clergy from the local churches shared the Christmas story along with the singing of some Christmas songs.
Lake Gregory’s Nathan Godwin surprised the audience with a new addition. A lit-up package under the tree is a beautiful addition to the community’s holiday décor.
Crestline invites the whole mountain community and visitors, too, to come see the decorations throughout the town and feel the small-town charm as they celebrate the Holidays in the Pines, on display all month long and into the New Year through the 12th day of Christmas.
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