• Support
  • Advertise
  • Locations
  • Contact
Friday, February 3, 2023
No Result
View All Result
NEWSLETTERS
Dana Point Times
  • Calendar
    • Event Calendar
    • Submit an Event
  • Sections
    • Eye On DP
    • Soapbox
      • Submit A Letter
    • Getting Out
    • DP Living
    • Sports & Outdoors
    • DP Surf
    • San Clemente Times
    • Capistrano Dispatch
  • Digital Edition
  • Best of DP
  • Legals & Classifieds
    • Locals Only Business Directory
    • Classified
    • Submit a Classified
    • Obituaries
    • Announcements
    • Legal & Public Notice Advertising
    • Legal Notices
  • Special Publications
    • A New You
    • Aging Well
    • Best of Dana Point
    • Crib to College
    • Dana Point Trolley Information & Route Map
    • Dolphin Football Preview
    • Festival of Whales Event Guide
    • Go See Do
    • Holiday Happenings & Gift Guide
    • Home Improvement Guide
    • Money Matters
    • Summer Camp Guide
    • The Green Issue
    • Turkey Trot Event Guide
  • DP Guide
  • Real Estate
    • South County Real Estate Guide
    • Real Estate – Who’s Who
  • Calendar
    • Event Calendar
    • Submit an Event
  • Sections
    • Eye On DP
    • Soapbox
      • Submit A Letter
    • Getting Out
    • DP Living
    • Sports & Outdoors
    • DP Surf
    • San Clemente Times
    • Capistrano Dispatch
  • Digital Edition
  • Best of DP
  • Legals & Classifieds
    • Locals Only Business Directory
    • Classified
    • Submit a Classified
    • Obituaries
    • Announcements
    • Legal & Public Notice Advertising
    • Legal Notices
  • Special Publications
    • A New You
    • Aging Well
    • Best of Dana Point
    • Crib to College
    • Dana Point Trolley Information & Route Map
    • Dolphin Football Preview
    • Festival of Whales Event Guide
    • Go See Do
    • Holiday Happenings & Gift Guide
    • Home Improvement Guide
    • Money Matters
    • Summer Camp Guide
    • The Green Issue
    • Turkey Trot Event Guide
  • DP Guide
  • Real Estate
    • South County Real Estate Guide
    • Real Estate – Who’s Who
No Result
View All Result
Dana Point Times
No Result
View All Result

GALLERY: La Plaza Tree Lighting Sparks Holiday Spirit

by Breeana Greenberg
December 5, 2022 1:47PM
in DP LIVING, DP Living Headlines
GALLERY: La Plaza Tree Lighting Sparks Holiday Spirit
0
SHARES
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Photos and Story by Breeana Greenberg

Kicking off the holiday season, community members gathered at La Plaza Park for the city’s annual tree lighting ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 3.

The event featured “Santa’s Jolly Trolley,” photos with Santa, carolers, hot chocolate and cookies. At the tree lighting ceremony, the City of Dana Point also collected unwrapped toys for the Spark of Love Toy Drive.

“Santa’s Jolly Trolley,” which launched in 2020 to bring holiday cheer to local parks during the COVID-19 pandemic, stopped at Sunset Park, Dana Woods Park and Sea Canyon Park, with La Plaza Park as the trolley’s last stop of the evening.

“Santa’s elves” from the City of Dana Point’s Recreation Division collected letters to Santa at each of the Jolly Trolley stops.

Aboard the trolley, Santa arrived at La Plaza Park at 4:30 p.m. offering pre-packaged treats for kids who gathered to meet him.

Mayor Joe Muller, Mayor Pro Tem Mike Frost, along with his two kids, and Councilmember Jamey Federico joined Santa at the base of the Christmas tree to count down the tree lighting.

“We just want to wish you guys all a Merry Christmas, thanks for coming out,” Muller said. “This is really the kickoff to the Christmas season, the holiday season in Dana Point.”

The tree on Pacific Coast Highway lit up in red and white bulbs as Muller shouted, “light that tree.”

The La Plaza tree lighting has been part of Dana Point resident Lauren Gloekler’s annual holiday tradition for a couple of years now. Now that Gloekler’s daughter Aria goes to RH Dana Elementary, the family runs into parents and classmates at the event.

“It’s a nice way for us to connect with our community,” Gloekler said.

For Laguna Beach residents Will and Adriana Wright, Saturday night’s tree festivities was their first time attending the La Plaza tree lighting. Having two young kids encourages the Wrights to attend more “traditional” holiday events.

“We just love the community, love the family feel, it’s awesome,” Will Wright said. “We’re having a really good time.”

The Wright’s friend Dawn Beattie has been coming to the La Plaza tree lighting for the past six years.

“It’s fun, it’s good for the kids,” Beattie said. “Christmas is a wonderful time to be with friends and family and I’m just happy for tradition.”

Families will have another opportunity to take photos with Santa and enjoy carolers, hot chocolate and cookies at the Pines Park tree lighting on Monday evening, Dec. 5, from 4:30-5:30 p.m.

Breeana Greenberg

Breeana Greenberg is the city reporter for the Dana Point Times. She graduated from Chapman University with a bachelor of arts degree in English. Before joining Picket Fence Media, she worked as a freelance reporter with the Laguna Beach Independent. Breeana can be reached by email at bgreenberg@picketfencemedia.com

Share this:

  • Share
  • Print
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Reddit
  • Tumblr
Tags: Community Tree LightingDana PointDana Point Recreation DivisionFeaturedHoliday SeasonJamey FedericoJoe MullerJolly Trolleyla plazaLa Plaza Tree Lightingmike frostOrange Countysantatree lighting
ShareTweetPin

Breeana Greenberg

Breeana Greenberg is the city reporter for the Dana Point Times. She graduated from Chapman University with a bachelor of arts degree in English. Before joining Picket Fence Media, she worked as a freelance reporter with the Laguna Beach Independent. Breeana can be reached by email at bgreenberg@picketfencemedia.com.

Related Posts

Dana Wharf Whale Report: Gray Whale Cow-Calf Pair Sighting Continue to Increase

Dana Wharf Whale Report: Gray Whale Cow-Calf Pair Sighting Continue to Increase

February 3, 2023
Dana Hills Students Get Unique Educational Experience with Dana Wharf Trip

Dana Hills Students Get Unique Educational Experience with Dana Wharf Trip

February 3, 2023
Capo Unified Trustees Take No Action on Controversial Charter School Proposal

OC Board of Education Approves New Capo Unified Charter School

February 3, 2023
Animal Shelter

Pet Project Foundation Provides $350K for Renovation to Local Animal Shelter

February 3, 2023
Next Post
GALLERY: Inaugural Holiday Market Brings Festivities to Del Prado

GALLERY: Inaugural Holiday Market Brings Festivities to Del Prado

Discussion about this post

No Result
View All Result

DP Times Daily
Get important news and updates delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up here.

Subscriptions
Don’t get the DP Times delivered to your home? Subscribe today.

Advertising
Get new customers and drive traffic to your business. Advertise with us.

Support Local Journalism
For less than the cost of a couple of cups of coffee a month, become an “Insider” member and continue to get “Local News You Can Use” from the only independently owned, dedicated local news organization in South Orange County.

Contribute today.

Picket Fence Media is a proud member of the SoCal Media Network.

  • Contact Us
  • Terms of Use
  • Dana Point Times
  • San Clemente Times
  • The Capistrano Dispatch
  • DP Chamber Directory

© 2023 Picket Fence Media

No Result
View All Result
  • Calendar
    • Event Calendar
    • Submit an Event
  • Sections
    • Eye On DP
    • Soapbox
      • Submit A Letter
    • Getting Out
    • DP Living
    • Sports & Outdoors
    • DP Surf
    • San Clemente Times
    • Capistrano Dispatch
  • Digital Edition
  • Best of DP
  • Legals & Classifieds
    • Locals Only Business Directory
    • Classified
    • Submit a Classified
    • Obituaries
    • Announcements
    • Legal & Public Notice Advertising
    • Legal Notices
  • Special Publications
    • A New You
    • Aging Well
    • Best of Dana Point
    • Crib to College
    • Dana Point Trolley Information & Route Map
    • Dolphin Football Preview
    • Festival of Whales Event Guide
    • Go See Do
    • Holiday Happenings & Gift Guide
    • Home Improvement Guide
    • Money Matters
    • Summer Camp Guide
    • The Green Issue
    • Turkey Trot Event Guide
  • DP Guide
  • Real Estate
    • South County Real Estate Guide
    • Real Estate – Who’s Who

© 2023 Picket Fence Media

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.