Ocean Beach Tree Festival events continue this week, spreading holiday cheer across the community.
Santa will be available for pictures at the Christmas tree at the foot of Newport Avenue from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 9. Cameras and film are not provided. Santa continues Saturday visits through Christmas.
Another craft fair event, also Saturday, will offer handmade crafts at the Veterans Plaza, along with an area for kids to make their own ornaments and other crafts.
Sunday, Dec. 10, marks the Sandy Claws event, hosted by the Dog Beach Committee of the Ocean Beach Town Council at Dog Beach from 9 a.m. until noon.
“It is a fund-raiser for improvements and maintenance for Dog Beach itself,” said committee Chairman Jim Musgrove. “It’s just generally a fun time for people to get together with their pets and enjoy the, normally, beautiful weather.”
According to Musgrove, proceeds from past events have partially funded improvements such as the footprint pad and sculptures and helped to secure the drinking fountains for the pets.
The affair will consist of a beach cleanup, which includes what is known as the World Famous Landmine Game. And according to Musgrove, “the person who goes out and collects the largest-weight piece of poop from the beach gets a special prize.”
Santa and his sleigh will also be available for photos. Polaroid photos in a greeting card-style holder are $5. A pet costume contest is also part of the fun.
“Owners can dress up if they would like but they won’t be judged,” said Musgrove, who encouraged costume contest participants to sign up at the beginning of the event so organizers can estimate how much time to devote to costume judging.
New to this year’s festivities is the sale of Dog Beach gear, including leashes, collars and other dog -elated items.
The Ocean Beach Music Festival continues at the Farmers Market Wednesday, Dec. 13, on Newport Avenue between Bacon and Cable streets, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. This week’s event will feature music by 2006 San Diego Music Award winner and Ocean Beach resident Chuck Shiele as well as performances by Shoestring Strap, Podunk Nowhere and Barbara Nesbitt, among others.
OB Tree Festival events serve as donation drop-off sites for the Toy and Food Drive, which benefits local charities. Monday through Friday, Dec. 11 to 15, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., event organizers and volunteers will sort and wrap the collected donations at the OB Masonic Center at 1711 Sunset Cliffs Blvd.
For more information, contact Claudia Jack at (619) 226-8613 or (619) 846-6269, or visit www.oceanbeachsandiego.com.
