November 13, 2008

Heritage Holiday at History Park

Make your plans now, to be at History Park when Santa arrives for the holidays on a vintage fire truck. The day, Saturday, Dec. 6 also will feature holiday carolers, gourmet food tasting and arts and crafts by local artisans.

The annual Heritage Holiday at History Park, which is hosted by History San Jose and Happy Hollow Park & Zoo, will be noon to 6 p.m. on Dec. 6, at History Park at Kelley Park, 1650 Senter Road.

This year’s event will offer a centerpiece workshop with the Master Gardeners of Santa Clara County, book signings, as well as an antiques corner with Steve Yvaska, local antiques specialist. Yvaska asks that each person bring no more than one item to evaluate and that they not be firearms, stamps, coins or precious stones.

“History Park is an ideal setting for this relaxing yet festive holiday event,” said Alida Bray, president and CEO of History San Jose. “This year’s Holiday Heritage will feature holiday music, family festivities, and a chance to celebrate the traditions of the holidays.”

The day offers photo opportunities with Santa Claus from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m., after his arrival from he North Pole on a vintage fire truck at 2:30 p.m.

The daylong event also offers a variety of foods for tasting and purchasing in The Museum Store. Local artisans will be on hand for holiday shopping. O’Brien’s Ice Cream shop will be open for food and drinks, and is now serving San Jose’s own Treat ice cream and milk shakes.

The antique trolley will be offering rides all day, and there will be a chance to learn about the handcart and how to drive it. There also will be children’s crafts and face painting inside the Firehouse, along with A. Schmahl Science Workshop science projects. Docent-led tours of the historic homes in History Park will add to the experience of traditional holidays.

The Master Gardeners of Santa Clara County will provide demonstrations and a hands-on activity. There will be a wreath-making class using succulent plants at 1 p.m. as well as a centerpiece workshop at 3 p.m.

Visitors interested in sustainable gardening can chat with author Alrie Middlebrook, a committed advocate and practitioner of the sustainable lifestyle, landscape professional and California native plant specialist. She has written “Designing California Native Gardens” and is available for book signing from noon to 3 p.m.

Illustrator of the children’s book “Christmas Eve Blizzard” by Emanuel Schongut, will be doing a watercolor demonstration and book signing.

Lyric Theatre will provide costumed carolers who will be strolling the park during the afternoon between 1 and 4 p.m. and Mario Monzon, the Marimba King, will perform between noon and 5:30 p.m. The Bell Choir from First Congregational United Church of Christ will also perform that afternoon at 1 p.m.

Admission to Heritage Holiday is $3 and parking is free. For more information, check out historysanjose.org or hhpz.org or call (408) 287 2291.

About History San Jose
History San Jose is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and sharing the continuing history of the Santa Clara Valley. HSJ manages one of the largest and most comprehensive regional history collections in the state of California, from 1784 Spanish governmental records to 21st century Silicon Valley technology.

History San Jose aspires to provide innovative national leadership in preserving and sharing regional history by engaging diverse audiences in exploring the varieties of human experience that contributes to the continuing history of San Jose and the Santa Clara Valley.

History Park at Kelley Park, located at 1650 Senter Road, is a 14-acre park featuring a town atmosphere, with free rides on historic trolleys, exhibit galleries and 27 historic buildings, including a museum store and O’Brien’s Café, with an ice cream parlor and candy store. History Park is open Tuesday through Sunday, noon – 5 p.m. Admission is free.