By LILY TINOCO | Reporter
This year’s Holiday Ho! Ho! Ho! is back at Simon Meadow after 2020’s socially distant celebration. The annual festivities are set to return Saturday, December 11, from 3 to 5 p.m.
A beloved community tradition for nearly 70 years, Santa Claus and his team have visited the Palisades each holiday season during Ho! Ho! Ho! This year’s event will kick off with Santa riding down the streets of town aboard LAFD Station 69’s firetruck, followed by a lineup of entertainment, activities, local food offerings and more.
Event organizer Lou Kamer has helped put together the celebration since 2018.
“When the Chamber of Commerce decided to end the 68-year tradition, I joined an eclectic group of neighbors who thought this was too important to just let go,” he said to the Palisadian-Post. “We believe that non-commercial, family events that bring us together to celebrate as a community make lasting memories that strengthen and define our bonds in our unique town.”
Kamer also said this is the first year that members of the YMCA Fun Committee have helped organize Ho! Ho! Ho!
“Their involvement in dreaming, planning and putting this together has helped it evolve to a new place,” he said. “Their continued involvement makes me believe that if [the] Palisades shows up, Ho! Ho! Ho! will always be there for us … in the future.”
Kamer added this year’s event will be “much better than a drive-thru.”
Palisadians can look forward to hot chocolate and toppings from Palisades Garden Cafe, croissants from Cinque Terre WEST Osteria, a martial arts demonstration from Gerry Blanck’s Martial Arts, a performance by Fancy Feet dancers and Blue Cat musicians, additional special guests, and surprises.
Attendees will also be able to participate in the Greatest Pet Photo Contest, write letters to Santa, find their way through a winding-maze and capture memories at a photo booth.
Each year, Ho! Ho! Ho! organizers honor a local nonprofit they believe makes a difference in the community. Kamer said the Pacific Palisades Task Force on Homelessness has been chosen this year for its service.
“At our first meeting in 2018, we tried to come up with a word to define Ho! Ho! Ho!” Kamer explained. “[The word] ‘gratitude’ kept popping up … we thought that if we, as volunteers, could give ourselves to bring this party to the community, hopefully our community could, in return, help groups that make a difference to people here and beyond.
“This year, when almost everyone except me mentioned PPTFH, I smiled since I also serve on the PPTFH board as part of their outreach team. Like Ho! Ho! Ho!, PPTFH is an all volunteer group. I know what additional community support and donations will mean to help us better address the … issues we face.”
The event is free, organizers only ask that Palisadians support the local charity they are honoring with a tax-deductible donation and support the local businesses and volunteers who participate.
“Ho! Ho! Ho! remains a truly authentic celebration which adds to the joy of living in this wonderful community,” Kamer concluded. “Join us.”
For more information, visit palitown.com.
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