By Stephanie Yost
Idyllwild Community Center Board President
Contributed
The Idyllwild Community Center (ICC) is knee-deep in planning for this year’s annual Tree Lighting Ceremony, which will be held Saturday, Nov. 30 at IdyPark. Like last year, the celebration will feature three stages with a variety of local performers as well as interactive family activities, costume characters, music, food, fun — and of course — a visit from Santa!
There will be a couple of changes this year, though. The tree lighting will feature 10-foot-by-10-foot booths set up only by local nonprofit organizations and community-focused groups who can use the event as an opportunity to raise funds and awareness for their community organizations.
“Our goal is to encourage visitors to support our local organizations and do their holiday shopping for jewelry, candles, soaps, clothes, antiques, gifts, etc. at our local businesses rather than have private individuals sell things that compete with our locals,” said Chris Singer Perrault, ICC board member and event co-chair. There will be no charge to the organizations and groups for the booth space rental.
Another change in the works this year concerns the lighting of the trees. ICC’s goal is to raise enough money through sponsorships to light all of the trees in IdyPark rather than just one.
“Considering the challenges that the fire and flood brought to Idyllwild, we’d like to make this year’s tree lighting extra special and welcoming to locals and visitors.”
Chris Singer Perrault, ICC board member and event co-chair
“Businesses, organizations, families and individuals will be able to sponsor or co-sponsor the lighting of a tree, and based on their sponsorship, will receive recognition on an engraved sign placed near their tree in IdyPark.”
The booths will be open for business starting at noon with food available around 2 p.m. and other festivities beginning at 4 p.m. Everything will wrap up around 6 p.m. after the trees are lit around 5:15 p.m.
Organizations and groups interested in having a booth should contact Chris Singer Perrault at 951-659-4335. For more information on tree sponsorship/co-sponsorship, send an email to [email protected].
