A blizzard of awes

Last year’s holiday fundraiser for the Huntington Beach Youth Shelter was low-key as the staff was still hustling to get it ready to open.

Six months ago, when they finally managed to open the shelter for the runaways and homeless kids, it was termite-ravaged and had no furniture.

But come Sunday, shelter officials will celebrate a strong start for the shelter, which has eight beds now, with a bigger holiday fundraiser featuring large snowflake decorations sponsored by local benefactors that will light up Main Street and the pier. It’s all part of the “Light a Light of Love” ceremony that kicks off the city’s 10th annual holiday festivities.

Downtown business leaders will help illuminate 6-foot-tall snowflakes on the pier and 5-foot-tall ones on Main Street.

Last year’s fundraiser was intentionally low-key.

“Because the shelter wasn’t open, it wasn’t as big as this year,” said Elsa Greenfield, shelter director. “This year it’s a reality, so more people have come out to help.”

The youth shelter raised $20,000 from last year’s celebrations but officials hope they will meet their $50,000 target this year, Greenfield said.

The 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. event features a slew of activities aimed mostly at kids.

Downtown restaurants will hold a “Taste of Main Street,” offering samples of soups, chowders and desserts at 3 p.m. and a raffle prize contest for children.

A children’s parade is also set for the first three blocks of Main Street, starting at Orange Street toward the pier.

The parade, one of the main draws of the holiday celebrations, will feature a Surf City Santa Claus accompanied by his wife Mrs. Claus, outgoing Huntington Beach Mayor Dave Sullivan, Miss Huntington Beach with her court, Woodie cars and a group of Bernese mountain dogs festooned in holiday decorations, local Brownie, Cub Scout and Camp Fire Troops, and Polynesian dancers.

“A lot of volunteers have helped with this event,” Greenfield said. About 3,000 are expected to attend the event.

Local businesses and the community have helped tremendously by sponsoring snowflakes and donating to the shelter, Greenfield said. About 85% of the 100 snowflakes have been sponsored, she said.

“Some people who can’t afford to buy a $500 snowflake on their own, have pooled money to do so,” Greenfield said. There’s still time to sponsor a snowflake decoration. For the money, sponsors get their name on a sign next to the snowflake.

The lighting of the snowflakes on the pier is scheduled for 4:45 p.m. The Marina High School band, Slaw Dawgs, will follow that up with a performance on the Pier Plaza stage.

The Orange County Song and Dance Company, a professional children’s performing arts company, will follow the Slaw Dawgs.

The lighting of the rest of the decorations at 6 p.m. will cap off the night’s festivities.