December 14, 2006

First annual District 10 Family Holiday Festival a spirited success

By Jeanne Carbone
Staff Writer

Approximately 300 Almaden residents enjoyed a relaxing celebration of the season at the first annual Family Holiday Festival sponsored by District 10 Councilmember Nancy Pyle.

Almaden residents and their kids enjoy the first annual Family Holiday Festival at the Almaden Community Center sponsored by Councilmember Nancy Pyle. Above, Almaden kids excitedly meet U.S. Marines and SJPD officers. Photos by Jeanne Carbone

“For me, the children always bring the magic of the holidays alive,” said Pyle. “And the parents could take a breather watching their children create gingerbread houses or listening to story time. I felt uplifted and delighted by the whole event.”

The Family Holiday Festival took place at the Almaden Community Center, turning a room into a celebration of seasonal music, crafts of gingerbread houses and gift bags for the kids, treats for all ages, story time and even Dreidel games. Even Santa was there to find out what good little boys and girls wanted for Christmas.

San Jose Police Department [SJPD] officers enjoyed the festivities as well as the U.S. Marines who were there collecting for Toys for Tots. And because it is the season of giving, collections were also made for the Family Giving Tree and Second Harvest Food Bank. SJPD and the U.S. Marines reported that donations were at an all-time high this year.

Councilmember Nancy Pyle and Santa find out what good little girls and boys want for Christmas.

“We wanted to have residents come out and be together,” said District 10 policy aide Stephanie Holm. “The parents came in and had coffee while the kids made gingerbread houses. The kids were really creative, and the houses were more like little mansions. Some of the kids danced on the stage to the holiday music. It was awesome.”

And Councilmember Pyle even entertained at the holiday event. She read “The Night before Christmas” to the kids, many of whom already knew the words by heart and repeated them along with Pyle.

“This was our first Family Holiday Festival for our residents,” said Pyle. “We’re encouraged by the attendance and the fun that everyone had so we’re planning on making it an annual event.”