For the first time in 41 years, holiday season revelers won’t be able to stroll through the fanciful displays of Christmas in the Park in downtown San Jose. But the annual tradition isn’t going away, it’s transforming into a drive-thru event at spacious History Park.
“Not having Christmas in the Park for a year was not an option,” said Jason Minsky, executive director of the nonprofit that produces the six-week event, which is set to begin the Friday after Thanksgiving and run through Jan. 3, 2021.
But safety concerns due to the coronavirus pandemic and the possibility that crowds as large as Christmas in the Park draws might not be allowed forced the nonprofit’s board to come up with an alternative plan and a different venue. Walkways at Plaza de Cesar Chavez, the display’s traditional home since 1980, are too narrow to allow appropriate physical distancing and crowds would have to be limited at the six park entrances, likely creating unsafe crowds in line.
So with the blessing of the city and the cooperation of History San Jose, a plan was created to move the displays to the outdoor historical museum at the corner of Phelan Avenue and Senter Road. Renderings show History Park’s buildings festooned with Christmas decorations and the park’s replica of the San Jose Light Tower illuminated in holiday colors. The hundreds of trees decorated by community schools, nonprofits and businesses also will dot the park’s acreage.
There will be some serious adjustments, though. Because Christmas in the Park earns a good chunk of its revenue through vendor sales — which won’t be available at History Park since people will be in cars — an admission fee will be charged for the first time. One day a week — Mondays are in the current plan — will be free, and it will be less expensive to visit during the day than at night. Reservations for specific days and times will be required to keep lines to a minimum, similar to the system used for the Fantasy of Lights display at Vasona Lake County Park.
“We want to do everything we can to minimize the impact on the Phelan Avenue residents in terms of traffic and noise,” Minsky said, adding that traffic routes, admission fees and other details are still being figured out.
In addition to vendor revenue, Minsky said sponsorship dollars are down, a story similar to that told by other nonprofits who have watched as business donors tighten their philanthropy or pivot toward COVID-19 relief efforts. So a lot will be riding on the success of the annual Christmas in July fundraiser, which will be a virtual event this year.
“Attendees” can purchase a ticket and receive a gift box filled with holiday goodies, including a bottle of wine from Joseph George Fine Wines, a meal from Cafe Stritch and the 2020 Christmas in the Park ornament. A kids’ version includes a craft activity, a snow play toy, 3D glasses and a Christmas in the Park cup. Teens get a bottle of sparkling cider. Tickets start at $100 for adults, with discounts for kids and groups.
On July 18, a live “variety show” will be broadcast on CreaTV and streamed on YouTube from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., featuring local performers including winners of a “San Jose’s Got Talent” contest. Details on how to enter the contest and purchase tickets to Christmas in July are available at www.christmasinthepark.com/events/2020/cij.
CALLING ALL ARTISTS: The Leigh Weimers Emerging Artists Awards program is now accepting applications from artists who are Santa Clara County residents and have not achieved widespread recognition in their chosen medium of visual arts, performance, film, music or even technical arts like lighting.
Four artists will be chosen to receive unrestricted $5,000 grants in honor of Leigh Weimers, my predecessor in this space who championed local arts in his column for 40 years. (Full disclosure: I chair the Rotary Club of San Jose committee that administers the program, but I am not part of the selection process.)
Applications are being accepted through June 30, and more information is available at www.weimersawards.com.
SHARKS’ VOICE QUACKS UP: San Jose Sharks play-by-play announcer Randy Hahn will be back in action Sunday — providing commentary for a rubber duck race. No, the Sharks’ absence from the NHL playoff tournament plans hasn’t driven Hahn around the bend. This duck race is a fundraiser for Pivotal, the San Jose-based nonprofit formed from the 2018 merger of Silicon Valley Children’s Fund and TeenForce.
The Pivotal Ducky Derby will feature 200 of the bright yellow fellows racing 25 yards in a swimming pool, and, of course all the action will be live streamed at 4 p.m. May 31. The event has already raised $20,000 to raise money for coaching and college scholarships for graduating foster youth, but there’s still time to take part and donate. Just waddle over to www.pivotalnow.org.
SCOTT’S OPENS AT NEW HOME: Scott’s Seafood opened its new location at the ground floor of the Twohy Building on Paseo de San Antonio on Friday with the strangest ribbon cutting I’ve seen in a while. All the VIPs — including owner Steve Mayer, chef Sammy Reyes and Mayor Sam Liccardo — were in masks and the extra-long ribbon was held in a V-shape to create more physical distance while still allowing for a photo.
Scott’s is open only for takeout and delivery currently, but the restaurant interior looks fantastic, so it will be a boost when diners can utilize the space — or at least lounge on the paseo patio.
