2020 tree lighting and holiday market update

By Stephanie Yost
Contributed

This year has posed numerous challenges for local nonprofit and community events, and this year’s annual Christmas Tree Lighting and Harvest Festival are, unfortunately, no exception.

The good news, however, is that both events are not entirely canceled. Although the Idyllwild Community Center (ICC) cannot, due to COVID-19 restrictions, shut down the center of town to put on the full Christmas Tree Lighting event with live music, holiday carolers, food and booths surrounding IdyPark, some important aspects of the annual festivities will be happening.

First, through the generous sponsorship of Ferro Restaurant, all of the trees in IdyPark in the center of town will be lit, just as they were last year. The initial lighting of the trees will occur, as always, just after sundown on Saturday, Nov. 28 (the Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend).

Rumor has it that some very special guests might pay a drive-around visit through town with a quick stop to “flip the switch” on the tree lights as pre-recorded holiday music plays in IdyPark.

Second, although Idyllwild Rotary will not be presenting its annual indoor Harvest Festival this year, ICC will be sponsoring an outdoor Idyllwild Mountain Market featuring many local handicrafts, gifts, antiques, art, etc., on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 27 and 28. The markets will be held on both days in the parking lot at the Idyllwild Community Playground at Ridgeview Drive and Highway 243 from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Although the outdoor Idyllwild Mountain Market event is subject to the weather, the good news is that the current forecast for those days is sunny with a high in the mid-50s. Fingers crossed that one bright spot in 2020 will be nice weather on the Hill that weekend.

Please note that masks and social distancing will be mandatory for vendors and visitors alike. Interested vendors should contact ICC via email at [email protected].