| | Published November 27th, 2019
| Seventh annual 'It's a Wonderful Life' kicks off the holiday season
| | | By Pippa Fisher |  | | Santa visit at last year's event Photo Gint Federas |
It's one of the official signs that the holiday season is here; the annual "It's a Wonderful Life in Lafayette" event hosted by the Chamber of Commerce will be taking place from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Dec. 6. The free, fun, family-friendly celebration includes the tree lighting, live music, community sing-a-longs and, of course, Santa himself.
It's a sure sign that things are getting jolly in the 94549 area when you see the big man arrive at the Lafayette Plaza. This year, Santa is arriving by train at 4:30 p.m.
Children will also be able ride the rails on the Lafayette Express too, along Golden Gate Way, once they have visited with Santa, who will be taking note of all requests and posing for photo ops. Lafayette's historic fire truck, Old Betsy, will still be part of the parade and will be available for photos too.
In addition to the complimentary hot chocolate and treats, there will be activities for the kids and live entertainment, including local student musicians, singers, and dancers from Stanley Middle School Chorus, Lafayette Kids' Cottage, Performing Academy, Lafayette Nursery School, The Sizzling Latin Dance Studio, the MCVT Glee Club and Town Hall Theatre Kids.
The official lighting of the Lafayette holiday tree is planned for 5:30 p.m., immediately followed by a community sing-a-long lead by Rena Wilson of Performing Academy. The Master of Ceremonies this year is artistic director and founder of the Gold Coast Chamber Players Pam Freund-Striplen.
This year the Lamorinda Sunrise Rotary Club is raffling their latest project - a completely renovated 1963 Glasspar Seafair boat. Previous projects from this club (known as the "We Build Stuff" club) have included a canoe, a kayak and a teardrop trailer. The sedan model seats four or five and is suited for fishing, water skiing or pleasure cruising. The V-shaped berth sleeps two and has an integrated toilet. It is estimated to be worth $25,000. All proceeds will go toward a variety of community projects.
The event is presented by the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by local Lafayette Realtor Dana Green and Branagh Development, who together are also hosting the environmentally-friendly downtown Lafayette twinkle lights for the 2019 holiday season.
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA