The gift of gathering

Suzie Harrison

The first Friday in December is the official beginning of the holiday

season in Laguna Beach with the community celebration of Hospitality

Night.

A tradition since 1952, tonight’s festivities will blanket Forest

Avenue from City Hall to Coast Highway from 5 to 9 p.m.

“I’ve been in Laguna Beach since 1965 ... it’s religious with me

it goes back many years.” Laguna Beach Police Capt. Danell Adams

said. “It’s about family and community and is the epitome of holiday

spirit.”

The evening will commence at 5 p.m. at Laguna Presbyterian Church,

415 Forest Ave. with an open house, bell choir, community sing-a-long

and La Playa Preschool’s annual tamale sale.

La Playa director Sally Rapuano warns that the tamales sell out

quickly at $2 each, chicken soup for $1 and hot chocolate for $2.

Thurston’s Middle School Band will start playing at 5:30 p.m. at

City Hall with Santa’s arrival and the lighting of the community

pepper tree by Mayor Cheryl Kinsman at 6 p.m.

Santa comes via a 1931 Seagrave fire engine chauffeured by retired

Laguna Beach Fire Capt. Eugene D’Isabella, a duty he has held for

about 40 years. Kinsman and her two sons will ride along.

“It’s really something for kids with Santa coming and seeing

Downtown ... it’s mobbed with lots of people there,” D’Isabella said.

From there, Sparky the fire dog and McGruff the crime dog will

help lead the parade to Santa’s house on the corner of Glenneyre

Street and Forest Avenue. The reindeer are actually rescue greyhounds

decked in reindeer-esque gear. Santa will ride in a red 1959 Alfa

Romero Spider convertible driven by Thalia Surf Shop’s owner Jim

Cocores . The No Square Theatre singers will follow.

Along the parade route entertainment will abound with LagunaTunes

Community Chorus caroling on the steps in front of Sundried Tomato

Cafe and the Community Concert Band playing at Pepper Tree Lane.

At his house, Santa, joined by Mrs. Claus, will gladly listen to

children’s wishes.

While children wait in line to see Santa, the good fairy Jessica

Destefano will entertain and Linda Haylett of Miss Linda’s Castle

will perform her puppet show with her sidekick “Froggy.”

Nearby, Show Pros Group, will capture and project a

larger-than-life image of the evening’s festivities live on a large

screen.

Just past Santa’s house, Laguna Beach High School’s Band will play

at 6:30 p.m.; the Community Learning Center will perform at 6:45 p.m.

and Jasso and Garcia will play at 7:15 p.m.

The San Clemente Scots Pipe Band will play, roving throughout the

evening. Anneliese’s School’s chorus will sing international carols.

Most Downtown businesses will open their doors for late-night

shopping and treats and beverages. The Exchange Club will have its

fresh popcorn cart; Laguna Drug will roast chestnuts and Wild Oats

will provide holiday goodies and hot drinks.

“I invite you all to enjoy the magic of the hometown holiday,”

event chair Sande St. John said. “Shop, dine, stay and enjoy the

season.”

Santa will be at his house to continue to hear wish lists from 1

to 4 p.m. until Dec. 24.

The Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce hosts hospitality Night. For

information, call (949) 494-1018, Ext. 1.