Holly Jolly Hoopla Sparks Holiday Cheer

The City of San Clemente trucked in a pile of snow and kicked off the holiday spirit for the Santa Village by the Sea Holly Jolly Hoopla at the Community Center on Del Mar. Hundreds of young children were ecstatic as they enjoyed festivities such as a showing of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” cookie decorating, sledding, Santa Claus visits and a candy cane factory.

The event was organized city Recreation Specialist Chris Smith, who has been involved with the event since it was called Candy Cane Village. Other city employees like lifeguard Tomas Dollar were brought over from the aquatic safety department to staff the event.

Once the sun set, the mayor of San Clemente was invited to light a tree that was creatively decorated with holiday bling as a bell choir performed.