WATSONVILLE — Although the last leftovers from Thanksgiving were consumed less than a week ago, more holidays are fast approaching.
To mark the beginning of the Christmas and holiday season, a series of events this weekend will help families get into the festive spirit.
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Heritage Holiday Craft & Gift Fair
From Friday through Sunday, three buildings at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds will be filled to the brim with crafts, antiques, toys, collectibles, food and more.
The Heritage Holiday Craft & Gift Fair, now in its 40th year, will be the biggest yet. More than 135 vendors will line the Harvest, J.J. Crosetti and Fine Arts buildings, according to Ron Haedicke, who co-chairs the event with Trevor Bautista-Sawyer.
“It’s one-of-a-kind gifts that you are only going to find here,” he said. “The list of stuff we’ve got is unbelievable.”
Food will be served by Ella’s at the Airport and GraceWorks Bible Church.
Volunteers will also offer attendees rides to and from the parking lot via golf cart.
The all-volunteer-run event raises funds for the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds Foundation, averaging about $40,000 annually that is poured back into the fairgrounds, Haedicke said.
The fair runs Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds. Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus will arrive Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for pictures.
The last two hours of each day will be Happy Hour, featuring $5 drinks at the bar.
Admission is $6, and children under 5 are free. Parking is free. For information, visit fairgrounds-foundation.org/holiday-fair.
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Holiday Factory Sale
Creator Haven is a tiny place, yet it is packed with workbenches and tables, brimming with art tools and bustling with activity.
The year-old business, which will be part of the Holiday Factory Sale on Saturday, was the brainchild of jewelry maker and teacher Pat Evans, who spent her career amassing tools of the trade. This includes small tools such as pliers and hammers, and big ones such as a rolling mill and a hydraulic press.
Evans created Creator Haven as a place where members can use the tools to create their art, with such media as metal etching, chain making, glasswork and jewelry making.
Perhaps more importantly, it is a place where artists can learn from each other, Evans said.
In addition, local and nationally known artists come to offer classes, she said.
“It really comes down to the community,” she said. “I’m in tears of joy when we’re full of people doing work and helping each other out, and I see the power of people working together.”
Member Himani Natu said she picks up tips on soldering, while she offers her own skills on metalworking.
“I love working here,” she said. “We all help each other.
For the Holiday Factory Sale, Creator Haven members will sell their wares, including jewelry, fused glass and Christmas ornaments.
It is located at 41-B Hangar Way. For information, visit creatorhaven.com or call (408) 781-5183.
Creator Haven will join nine other businesses for the annual Factory Sale from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The event features local businesses offering Christmas gifts at deep discounts. Participating merchants this year are La Selva Designs, American Hatmakers, El Pajaro CDC Commercial Kitchen, Martinelli’s Company Store, Annieglass, Smith & Vandiver, Integrity Wines, Hidden Fortress Coffee, Roche Leather Company and Creator Haven.
For information, visit www.watsonvillefactorysale.com.
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Aptos Holiday Tree Lighting and Craft Fair
Community members will gather underneath the Aptos Village Tree on the corner of Soquel Drive and Aptos Creek Road Saturday for the annual Holiday Tree Lighting and Craft Fair from 2-5 p.m.
Arts and crafts will be available for purchase, and live music will be performed throughout the afternoon. Manuel’s Mexican Restaurant will serve hot chocolate.
Santa Claus will arrive on a fire truck at 2:30 p.m.
The rain check date is scheduled for Dec. 9.
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Watsonville Multicultural Celebration and Tree Lighting
Before the switch is flipped on to light up the downtown plaza, community members are invited to experience the many different cultures that call Watsonville home.
Now in its sixth year, the Watsonville Multicultural Celebration promotes the historical and cultural traditions through song, dance, food and activities.
“This is a good opportunity to deepen your connection to Watsonville,” said Devorah Harris, who is one of eight people on the Multicultural Celebration Committee.
The Multicultural Celebration was formed in 2011, when Victoria Nelson and Harry Wiggins led a group of volunteers to organize a one-day celebration of holiday traditions in the plaza.
The event joined the City of Watsonville Tree Lighting event in 2015.
New groups participating this year include the Slavic American Cultural Organization and Maido Japanese Catering Service.
Committee member Larry Abrams said the event is geared toward children, giving them an opportunity to learn about Watsonville and its cultures.
“Everybody is seeing that Watsonville is exciting,” he said.
The event runs Sunday from 2-5 p.m., with Santa Claus arriving at 4 p.m. Live entertainment will be performed on two stages:
Cabrillo Steps
• 2 p.m.: Taiko Drummers
• 2:30 p.m.: Estrella de Esperanza Folkloric
• 3 p.m.: Activities for All
• 3:30 p.m.: YWCA Youth Choir
• 4 p.m.: Pacific Arts Dance Group
Main Street Stage
• 2:30 p.m.: West African Dance Group
• 3 p.m.: Watsonville Senior Center: Dance-a-Long
• 3:30 p.m.: World Danz
• 4 p.m.: Aztec White Hawk Dance Group
• 4:45 p.m.: Hanukkah Menorah Lighting and Ladino music with Rabbi Eli Cohen of Chadeish Yameinu and the PV Jewish Community
Following the Watsonville Multicultural Celebration at 5 p.m., the Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony will begin. The ceremony will feature a welcome from Watsonville Mayor Oscar Rios, a performance by a local children’s choir, and will culminate in the lighting of the holiday tree.
A new addition to the festivities this year will be a train that will offer children rides around the plaza. Rides on the train are free, but donations to Second Harvest Food Bank will be accepted at the train station and are encouraged.
