by Cheryl Senn

With tons of snow and an additional weekend to enjoy it, the second annual Christmas Fest took place in downtown Sanger last month.

Brehler Square was transformed into a winter wonderland by the delivery of more than 60 tons of snow and the installation of a skating rink during the back to back weekends of December 15 and 16, and December 22 and 23, for six hours a day. The event was free to the community, including the use of the skates.

Kids enjoying the snow in Sanger

Sanger Mayor Joshua Mitchell said the City had a goal after the first year, to add an additional weekend the following year. “To make it bigger and better with each following year,” said Mitchell. “This was us making good on that promise.”

Sean Fitzgerald, Sanger Recreation Specialist said the reason for expanding the Christmas Fest an additional weekend was to provide better service to the community.

Brett Mitchell is happy with his snowman he built.

Brehler Square was chosen as the location of the Christmas Fest because it is central in the downtown area. “A community’s downtown area is its heart, so it is important to draw people there and connect to the businesses and the area in general,” said Fitzgerald.

“We are all about the downtown,” said Mitchell. “We want nothing more than for our downtown to remain the heart of Sanger.”

Downtown Sanger had Christmas music playing, many decorations, several adorned Christmas trees, Santa’s house for visits with Santa and it was all lit up at dusk. The Sanger Chamber of Commerce Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony takes place, every year, at Brehler Square as well.

Zechariah Perez was all smiles, even when he fell, during his skating session.

Members of the community were encouraged to participate in donating non-perishable food items, toys and warm clothes (new or gently used) to the collection receptacles at the Christmas Fest. All collected items were distributed to local non-profits servicing those in need, in the community.

When this reporter visited Brehler Square, there were more than 60 children and adults enjoying the snow and skating rink along with a long line waiting to take a photo with Santa.

Sanger resident Jessica Perez said she thought it was a great idea because some people cannot afford to travel to the snow or to go ice-skating. “It’s fabulous that it’s free.”

Planning for next year’s Christmas Fest is already taking place according to City officials.

The next event sponsored by the City of Sanger is the annual Blossom Trail Run, which is traditionally the first Saturday in March. For more information on what is happening in the City of Sanger, you can visit the City’s official web site at www.ci.sanger.ca.us or the Sanger Chamber of Commerce web site at www.sanger.org.

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Cheryl Senn is a freelance writer/photographer, a mother and local business owner, and is also involved with many community service organizations in and around Sanger. People can visit www.facebook.com/thesangerscene to see what is happening with the author and Sanger.