Staff Reports

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The elves in his workshop must work well without supervision, because Santa Claus was everywhere in the Santa Ynez Valley this month as Buellton, Solvang, Los Olivos and Santa Ynez held their annual Christmas celebrations.

In addition to appearances by the jolly old soul, the festivities included plenty of food and music, an elf hunt, a Gingerbread Wonderland, multiple tree lightings, the Julefest Parade — and 20 tons of imported snow.

Los Olivos
By Pamela Dozois

Wind and cold rain threatened the 34th annual Los Olivos Old Fashioned Christmas and the 100th anniversary of its community flagpole but couldn’t stop throngs of residents and visitors from attending.

More than 1,000 people attended the day-long festivities on Dec. 1, culminating in a tree lighting just after dark.

“This is such a lovely local event, bringing family and friends together to welcome in the Christmas season,” said Rosalie and Allen Ramirez, long-time residents of Los Olivos. “We look forward to it every year.”

The event opened with a Holiday Market in which more than 20 vendors and their booths withstood the gusty winds to display unique handcrafted goods. The aroma of hot popcorn and Hyndman’s roasted walnuts wafted through the air. The Los Olivos Rotary kept the chill at bay with free hot chocolate, hot cider and cookies. Arne’s Aebleskiver served Danish delicacies while food trucks offered a variety of hot dogs by The Doggy Door and tacos by California Tacos and First & Oak Kitchen.

Carolers led by Kate and Brooks Firestone strolled the streets singing traditional Christmas tunes. Businesses, dressed in holiday style with twinkling lights, held open houses.

Children could take part in an elf hunt throughout town, with Christmas treats as prizes. Summerset Farm offered vintage train rides throughout the day and evening.

For the sixth year, St. Mark’s In-the-Valley Episcopal Church hosted the Gingerbread Wonderland built by local artisans and school children. Santa and Mrs. Claus were on hand in the parlor to greet the guests and hear the many Christmas wishes of the little children.

A festively decorated Lavinia Campbell Park featured Elsa from “Frozen” along with one of Santa’s elves, which children gleefully enjoyed throughout the afternoon.

As the hour for the Tree Lighting ceremony approached, crowds of people gathered near the flag pole to hear the Santa Ynez Valley Jazz Band, under the direction of Kay Dominguez, perform traditional Christmas music.
With all the lights in Los Olivos turned off, a countdown began. With the lighting of the Christmas tree, a thunderous cheer erupted.

“I think this is the most lights I’ve ever seen on the tree,” one resident said.
Los Olivos Olde Fashioned Christmas is produced by the Los Olivos Chamber of Commerce, an all-volunteer organization, led by President Sandee Sanger and Executive Director Liz Dodder.

A festively decorated Lavinia Campbell Park featured Elsa from “Frozen” along with one of Santa’s elves, which children gleefully enjoyed throughout the afternoon.

Santa Ynez
By Victoria Martinez

People looking for a small-town Christmas experience away from the larger crowds and light sprinkles of the evening made their way to Santa Ynez on Dec. 1 for an evening of friends, music and treats at the town’s annual tree-lighting event.

“We went to the Santa Ynez tree Lighting because we knew it would be an enjoyable small-town event that was fun for the kids and also not stressful for us as parents. We loved it,” said Mientje D’Arelli of Solvang.

The event, held inside the Sagunto Street building most recently occupied by Naughty Oak, included a greeting from Cinderella, free snacks and holiday treats, cookie decorating, a visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus, live holiday music, and Christmas-inspired performances by Fossemalle Dance Studio.

The evening ended with the lighting of a 75-foot Christmas tree, the largest in the Valley.

Buellton
By Kyah Corff

The sixth annual Buellton WinterFest brought holiday cheer to the Santa Ynez Valley along with tons of imported snow.

“It’s a great opportunity to get the community together … and the family,” said Shelby Jordan, who attended the event with her family for the first time.

Breakfast and photos with Santa Claus kicked off the community tradition at 9 a.m. on Dec. 2. Later in the afternoon, about 1,000 people came to the “Holiday Village” on Avenue of the Flags to gather with friends and family and enjoy the evening’s activities.

Bundled up for the chilly weather, crowds lined up for hot chocolate and homemade tamales. Others browsed the stands of local shops selling homemade goods such as candles and jewelry. The local band Chiller Tofu performed, and the youth Santa Ynez Valley Jazz Band played Christmas classics such as “Let it Snow.”

The highlight of the event was 20 tons of snow that transformed sunny California into a winter wonderland. Luke Schlingmann, 3, agreed with the other kids that “playing in the snow and making snowman” was their favorite part of the festivities.

“I think it’s a chance for them [the children] to build traditions and learn about being a part of a community,” said Abby Crawford.

“Some of these kids have never seen snow or can’t afford to … it puts smiles on their faces,” explained Executive Director Kathy Vreeland of the Buellton Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau. Vreeland organized the first Buellton WinterFest in 2013. She grew up with snow-filled festivities in Michigan, which inspired her to bring a white Christmas to Buellton.

“We want to bring the community together to celebrate the holidays with snow … We try to make it easy and affordable for people to come,” Vreeland added.

The chilly evening wrapped up with the popular Light Parade and community Christmas tree lighting.

Solvang

Thousands of spectators enjoyed sunny skies and temperatures around 60 degrees while watching 49 parade entries of more than 400 participants in Solvang’s annual Julefest Parade on Dec. 8.

Concluding the 65-minute parade were Santa & Mrs. Claus, who landed their sleigh in Solvang Park for free visits and photos with an adoring crowd throughout the afternoon. They were scheduled to return from noon to 4 p.m. on two more Saturdays, Dec. 15 and 22, for more free visits with kids of all ages.

The parade honored Grand Marshal Brad Vidro, who is retiring as Solvang City Manager on Dec. 28, capping more than 35 years of public service throughout California.

Vidro began working for Solvang as Public Works Director in June 2005 and was named City Manager in October 2006.

The parade announcer for the 12th year was Laura Kath, and volunteer judges were “non-partisan, non-Solvang residents” Bob Freed, William Morton and Bill Peden, organizers said.

The award-winners in the parade were:

Best Theme Oriented (“A Danish Tradition”): Atterdag Village of Solvang “Rolling Gingerbread House”
Best Float: Capuchin-Franciscan Friars of San Lorenzo Seminary
Best Equestrian Entry: Alisal Guest Ranch & Resort
Best Vehicle Entry: St. Francis Ranch Restored 1928 Fire Truck
Best Musical Entry: Santa Ynez Valley Jazz Band
Best Performance Group: Cruz Dance & Entertainment
Best Overall Entry: Santa Ynez Valley Union High School Pirate Garage Auto Club

Parade winners can pick up their trophies at the Solvang Visitor Center, 1639 Copenhagen Drive, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily.

This year, the city was named by Reader’s Digest as “The Best Christmas Town in California” and by the New York Post as one of “The 10 Best Christmas Towns in America.”

Solvang’s Julefest festivities continue through Jan. 6. They are presented by the Solvang Conference & Visitors Bureau on behalf of the city with sponsorship from area businesses.

For more information, visit www.SolvangUSA.com or call the Visitors Bureau at or 805-688-6144 or 1-800-468-6765.