PACIFIC BEACH — Holiday festivities from the arrival of Santa Claus to the lighting of a Christmas tree will take place on Crystal Pier Dec. 5 from 2 to 5 p.m. The event will kick off with Santa Claus arriving in a fire truck at 2 p.m., said Sara Berns, program manager at Discover Pacific Beach. Two interactive stations will be set up on the pier for children. One will be a letter writing station where children can write letters to Santa and the other will be an ornament decorating station where children can decorate an ornament to take home with them. Photography by Gabriela will be on hand to capture images of children sitting on Santa’s lap. Photographs will be available on her website for parents to purchase. Carolers and musical groups from area schools will entertain the crowd throughout the afternoon. Kono’s Café will provide free hot chocolate to warm the crowd while supplies last. Local businesses have purchased wreaths that will hang along the pier and school children have decorated stockings that will be on display near the tree. The lighting of the pier and Christmas tree will take place at 5 p.m. after a short performance by the famed Dr. Seuss character the “Grinch.” Next week, on Dec. 11 from 2 to 5 p.m., the much-anticipated Pacific Beach Holiday Parade will once again travel through the heart of the business district on Garnet Avenue. “Holiday Classics” is the theme. Parade organizers are seeking float entries from families, community groups and community supporters. For float entry information, call Discover Pacific Beach at (858) 273-3303 or visit www.pacificbeach.org.
