Free wrapping, movies among holiday offerings
By Daily Press staff
Happy Days are here for Santa Monicans.
Marion Ross, famous for playing Mrs. Cunningham on the popular sitcom “Happy Days” in the 1970s, will be the guest of honor at tonight’s annual lighting ceremony on the Third Street Promenade. These days, Ross can be seen on the “Gilmore Girls.”
Beginning at 5:15 p.m., Ross will flip the switch that lights up the Promenade in a ceremony that marks the beginning of holiday festivities. The holiday lights will shine on the Promenade every evening from 5 p.m. to 6 a.m. through the first week of January.
And Main Street is kicking off its celebration on Saturday with a tree-lighting ceremony at 6 p.m. at the California Heritage Museum lawn, 2612 Main St. The Santa Monica High School choir and Santa Claus will be there, and visitors can browse through stores and vote in the window decorating contest. The ballots also serve as raffle tickets to win prizes, including gift certificates and gift items ranging from $25 to $150.
In the past, thousands have turned out for the lighting ceremonies, and organizers don’t anticipate this year will be an exception.
“A Winterlit Celebration will be full of entertainment and family fun,” said Marivi Valcourt, marketing manager for the Bayside District. “We are focusing on kids this year with Winterlit Fun festivities on Saturday, and there will be lots for them to do and see.”
Starting at 4 p.m., Mark and Kim of KOST radio will emcee the event. Carolers and the Santa Monica High School Orchestra will perform a free concert on the Third Street Promenade at Broadway, and “Surfing Santa” will arrive with his beach-attired elves to join in the festivities.
On Saturday, Dec. 4, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Winterlit Fun will fill the Third Street Promenade and Santa Monica Place with free kid-friendly activities, including a petting zoo, pony rides, bubble mania, holiday crafts, magic shows, kids’ theater, musical groups, a children’s dancing area, a “cool toys” demonstration, story time and more. Also, kids’ prizes and giveaways will be awarded throughout the day from the main stage.
Through Dec. 24, Santa will be in the center of Santa Monica Place to hear children’s holiday wishes.
Santa Monica Place will host Pet Night with Santa. To raise money for the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Los Angeles, pet owners can have their animals photographed with Santa on Monday, Dec. 6 and Monday, Dec. 13.
Saturday, Dec. 11, brings a day of Winterlit Fashion and Film. Models will take to the catwalk wearing casual and festive winter clothing and accessories from area merchants. Two shows featuring styles for men, women and children are scheduled on the Third Street Promenade and inside Santa Monica Place.
Free screenings of “Home Alone” and “Miracle on 34th Street” will be shown outdoors on a 24-foot screen. There also will be shopping spree and dinner certificate giveaways during the day.
In keeping with a pluralistic sentiment, a menorah will be incorporated in the Winterlit composition beginning Hanukah weekend, and there will be a menorah lighting in Santa Monica Place during the same time period.
Through the holiday season, from Dec. 1 to Dec. 19, CHiPs for Kids will collect toys inside Santa Monica Place. Free gift wrapping will be available on the Promenade during weekends in December.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on December 3, 2004. Read the original PDF.