Christmas in the Village

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Quintessential hometown fun

By Kristin Hobbs Kjaero

La
Mesa (December 1, 2008) —
Santa Claus is coming to town!

On December 12-13, the La Mesa Village will magically transform with Christmas
lights, sparkling window displays and open fire pits. Visitors can enjoy carnival
rides, puppet shows, four stages showcasing homegrown talent, and ride ponies,
carriage, and fire truck.

Central to all is the opportunity to have a heart to heart with Santa himself.  This
is one of the last venues in the area that allows Santa to sit for photographs
for free; bring your own camera.

Free to the public and organized by volunteers, Christmas in the Village has
been a family fixture for 19 years. This is the fourth year John Vigil, First
Republic Bank, will chair the event for the La Mesa Village Merchants Association,
and his enthusiasm is positively catching.

Christmas in the VillageEntertainment will include the La Mesa Middle School and Grossmont High School
bands, Community Center youth performers, bell ringers, dancers, mimes, Suzuki
strings, brass, blues, carolers, and more.

Stores will stay open late and compete in a window decoration contest. Awards
will be heralded by a Town Crier, and presented by Miss La Mesa and Miss Teen
La Mesa.

In addition to Christmas in the Village, the La Mesa Village Merchants Association
organizes the year round, Friday Farmer’s Market, the Back to the 50’s
Car Shows summer series, and a spring Antique Street Faire. This calendar of
events is made possible with funds raised at the La Mesa Oktoberfest.

Christmas in the VillageOrganizers would appreciate more volunteers, adult and student, and are happy
to sign school community service forms. There’s room for additional sponsors
as well. For more information, contact (619) 303-5811 or deena55@cox.net.

Take the Orange Line to La Mesa Boulevard as parking is limited in the Village.
A regular schedule can be found at www.sdcommute.com/Services/Default.aspx.
MTS will run extra trains for the event.

Kristin Hobbs Kjaero is a lifelong resident of La Mesa and an active community
volunteer.

Christmas in the Village Christmas in the Village Christmas in the Village
Victorian Christmas Carolers serenade at Christmas in the Village Festive light displays line streets of downtown La Mesa Visitors roast chestnuts over an open fire

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