YOU & YOURS…
All the heartwarming traditions of Coronado’s Annual Holiday Parade sure will be missed this year. If you’re not aware, every year (pandemic pending), the Coronado Chamber of Commerce hosts a festive parade of floats, marching bands and vintage cars as they cruise down Orange Avenue with the tradition culminating with carol singing and a Tree & Menorah Lighting Ceremony at Rotary Park.
I will be greatly anticipating getting back to that tradition in 2021 but in the meantime, the next two weekends will be full of safe socially-distant activities!
December 5 & 6th the Chamber is putting together a special Holiday Sidewalk Sale. Orange Avenue stores will be brimming over with gift ideas, stocking stuffers and major bargains, all accessible alfresco so you can shop safely in the crisp winter sunshine.
Also on December 5th, Coronado’s original craft fair, “Artisans Alley” will be home to a wide selection of more than 160 vendors selling homemade crafts and unique holiday gifts. All proceeds from the fair support the Coronado Band & Choir in the elementary, middle and high schools. Throughout the day these talented, musical kids will perform at Village Elementary while fairgoers enjoy leisurely, outdoor craft shopping. In addition to the free concerts, food will be on sale and your $2 dollar entry fee includes a raffle ticket for one of more than 160 items that vendors graciously donate to the event.
Then on December 12th, the City’s elves will hold a festive drive-thru at City Hall on Saturday, Dec. 12, for the whole family that will include goodie bags, elves and a professional holiday photo op with Santa. A reservation for a spot in line is required and registration is open now for residents. Call 619-522-7342 and leave a message for Santa’s elves to get your ticket.
The Hotel Del Coronado never disappoints during the holiday season and even though state restrictions prevented them from installing the ice rink this year thousands of white sparkling lights, towering Christmas trees, ornament-trimmed evergreens, snowy surprises, and garlands galore transform The Del’s beachfront space into a Winter Wonderland with a 35-foot Christmas tree in the center of Windsor Lawn. Santa will also be posing in his vintage sleigh as families can take professional photos at a 6-foot distance in front of him with the iconic San Diego hotel’s glittering turret as the backdrop. Reservations are required and Santa will be available from 4-7 pm on November 28, December 5, 12, 19, 23 & 24.
All throughout 2020, Coronado has stepped up to make sure our yearly traditions are kept alive in a safe manner and I want to thank all the volunteers, the folks at the Chamber of Commerce, our city employees, the Mayor and our City Council for all the hard work they’ve put into juggling this pandemic while helping to maintain the exceptional quality of life residents of Coronado are used to enjoying.
Happy Holidays!!!