Community organizations and volunteers come out year after year to help Ocean Beach MainStreet Association (OBMA) spread holiday cheer throughout the charming beachside neighborhood. Ocean Beach doesn’t go unnoticed when it comes to its decorations and that’s because, unlike many other communities, volunteers opt to make their decorations rather than buy them pre-made. The process starts in early July when the OBMA committee assesses the previous year’s decorations to see how much of it they can use and how much they need to order; then in early November a group of individuals come together at 7 a.m. to get everything prepped and ready to be hung.
“Every year we buy yards of greenery,” said Denny Knox, OBMA executive director. “Then we have teams of volunteers cut and assemble the greenery, before finishing it off by adding bows.”
Close to 30 board members, committee members and active community members volunteer to help throughout the decorating process. The holiday installations are hung up the Saturday before Thanksgiving with the help of many volunteers, including Sunset Cliffs Surfing Association and Newbreak Church – who bring their trucks and ladders to lend a hand.
“It really is a team effort,” said Knox. “We couldn’t do it without the help of the community. Even a local artist, Ashley Lewis, designs our holiday banners. It’s amazing to see everyone come together to make OB festive and the best part is that they all have a really good time doing it.”
For more information and to get a list of the ways OBMA is celebrating this holiday season, visit www.OceanBeachSanDiego.com.