By Tad Stearn
Capitola Village officially kicked off the holiday season on Saturday Dec. 6 with the annual Capitola Holiday Extravaganza. The festive event, organized by the Capitola Village and Wharf Business Improvement Area, welcomed visitors from far and near to enjoy family fun, dining and shopping at local businesses, and even a little partying into the evening hours.
From late morning and continuing through the afternoon, families, kids and sweet-seekers of all ages participated in the Cookie Walk. The purchase of a ticket granted participants a large red box to collect all kinds of holiday cookies handed out by participating businesses.
The Westerberg family, with a 5-year old boy and 2-year old girl, were juggling two cookie boxes as well as the kids. “We were here last year for the event and decided to come back. We have two little pieces of energy here, all filled up on cookies!” Mom and dad both grew up locally along the coast and were making the most of the day. “It’s lots of fun to support the local small businesses. We want our kids to understand the value of shopping small and local, and what that means.”
Between the cheery decorations, Trike-a-Pose mobile photo booth, free parking, music, VW bus parade and late-night shopping, the village provided a little something for everyone.
Village merchants seemed to be enjoying the day as much as the visitors. Donna, behind the register and helping customers at Capitola Seashells, loved working in the village and was taking it all in. “I love to see the people come out in their holiday outfits and sweaters. Just to see the joy that it brings out in people. I think this really is a kickoff to the whole Christmas season.”
Brittny Beshore, the new owner of Bay Bar and Grill, shared that sentiment as she handed out cookies along the esplanade. “It’s so much fun, and it definitely starts getting busy for us this time of year”.
As the sun was setting, staff from Shadowbrook Restaurant and Gayle’s Bakery were getting ready to serve up hot chocolate and cookies at the edge of Esplanade Park. According to Shadowbrook General Manager John Skinner and Banquet Coordinator Alex Lujan, hundreds of cups of cocoa and dozens of cookies were prepared to help warm up the crowd gathering for the tree lighting. The hot chocolate was custom-brewed by Shadowbrook’s pastry chef.
Try as we might, this roving reporter and trusty assistant photographer (daughter Sophie) were denied early access to the hot cocoa. But that was fine, since it’s a very bad time to be naughty. Especially with Santa roaming around.
After a visit from Santa and a greeting from mayor Joe Clarke, the large palm tree at Esplanade Park was lit up in red, green and white as the crowd joined in caroling. The holiday-themed parade of decked-out VW buses soon cruised through, with the evening wrapping up with the “Capitola SantaCon Meets the Grinch” event at the Brittania Arms for cocktails, karaoke and laughs.
All said, it was a day and night of great weather, great food, great fun, and a whole lot of cookies.
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Photos by Tad and Sophie Stearn