As the streetlights turn festive for the holidays, the 8th annual La Mesa Holiday in the Village is gearing up for another year of celebration with live music, cozy fires, vendors, food, photos with Santa on Dec. 2 from noon to 9 p.m.
Hosted by the La Mesa Village Association, LMVA Marketing Liaison Elizabeth Ranta said this free event has something to offer for everyone.
“This is great for families, and it is great for all ages,” she said. “It is a nice, community event in the Village. Lots of shopping with craft vendors, the brick-and-mortar merchants in the area that are also great for holiday shopping. We also have fun slides, games, and areas where kids can do hula hoops to music and other fun activities for the kids.”
Ranta said it currently has 60 non-food vendors for guests, and nine food vendors. Also, this year there will be two stages for entertainment from community groups to local bands.
“Much of the entertainment is children performing from different schools, bands, choirs, jazz ensembles. It has been a few years, but we will have two stages again this year. One at 4th Street and one down by Spring Street,” she said.
Rather than having to pay for photos, Holiday in the Village has “selfies with Santa” where you can take your own photos over on 3rd Street and La Mesa Boulevard. Ranta said it is bringing back its holiday 360 photo booth, where you can use props and create a short video action photo as another photo option for guests.
“Then we have fire pits with Adirondack chairs where people can sit and relax and listen to the holiday carolers who will be strolling down the boulevard during the event,” she said. “We will also have other food venders to provide food and snacks. Of course, all our restaurants are open and decorated, so you can just hop in for dinner.”
Ranta said this year, LMVA is hosting a holiday storefront decorating contest among its businesses in the downtown footprint.
“We are encouraging local merchants to decorate, get festive, and bring something special for people to enjoy in The Village. Not just on Dec. 2, but throughout the month. Just stroll down La Mesa Boulevard and take in all the lights that are strung for the holidays as well as beautiful storefronts that are decorated,” she said.
