Greater Orange News Service

Plaza Menorah Lighting Nightly at 6:00 PM during Chanukah
This Wednesday December 1st is the beginning of Chanukah and for the fourth year in a row the Temple Beth Sholom on Tustin Ave will host the nightly ceremony lighting the menorah in the Orange Park Plaza at the Orange Traffic Circle. For the 8 nights of the Jewish festival of lights a ceremonial lighting at 6:00 pm will take place in the Orange Park Plaza. The simple ceremony includes blessings over candles and singing songs. Participants from all faiths are welcome.
For more information on the Chanukah Ceremony email
information@tbsoc.com

Lighting Schedule
Wednesday, December 1st Leader: Mark Borovay
Thursday, December 2nd Leader: Peter Newell
Friday, December 3rd Leader: Peter Newell
Saturday, December 4th Leader: Elaine Schwartz
Sunday, December 5th Leader: Cantor Reinwald
Monday, December 6th Leader: Lindy Lane Epstein
Tuesday, December 7th Leader: Lainey Mitzman
Wednesday, December 8th Leader: Sara Weiss-Gottesman

16th Annual Orange Plaza Tree Lighting and Candlelight Choir Procession

The Christmas holiday season’s official Greater Orange kickoff celebrates 16 years of tree lighting ceremonies in the Orange Plaza. This year's program narrator is Dr. William Hall, Dean of Performing Arts at Chapman University. The 350 voice Orange Master Chorale choir led by Orange High’s world famous choir director Michael Short and a 60 piece orchestra in the traditional Choir Procession and Tree Lighting Ceremony.

The festivities start at 3:30 pm on Sunday December 5th with food booths and kids activities including those holiday photo ops with none-other than Santa himself followed by the official choir and tree ceremony starting at 5:15 pm.

In case of rain please call the official Orange Special Events Hotline for details: 714-744-7278.

Santa to Tour Villa Park before heading to North Pole
Few people outside Villa Park may know that Santa and Mrs. Claus keep their Southern California vacation residence right here in Greater Orange at the Claus Villa in Villa Park. Each year before making the final push towards getting ready for that Christmas Eve world tour, the Claus family spends a weekend at their Villa Park get-a-way. Traditionally, Santa has thanked his home-away-from home neighbors with the Annual Villa Park Santa Tour winding his way through the Greater Orange “Hidden Jewel” in a bright red fire truck. This year’s tour is Saturday December 4, 2010 from 8:00 am- 5:00 pm.

Santa has been known to drop by or stop along the route where ever there is a gathering of believers. For more information contact the Villa Park City Hall at 714-998-1500. The Annual Santa Tour is sponsored by the Villa Park Foundation.

For a map and times CLICK ON: SANTA TOUR

13th Annual Villa Park Great Inland Boat Parade-December 12th, 2010
Being land-locked never bothered many in Greater Orange, especially in Villa Park where the 13th Annual Great Villa Park Inland Boat Parade takes place on Sunday December 12th, 2009. this year a new route sails through the backwaters of Villa Park, from starting at 5:00 pm, the mighty Villa Park Fleet sails to the Villa Park Towne and Community Centre arriving around 6:00 pm. for more hometown festivities including a tree lighting ceremony and entertainment. The Great Villa Park Inland Boat Parade is sponsored by the Villa Park Foundation. The new route was designed at the recommendation of the Sheriff's Department, and will have the parade cross busy Villa Park Road only once instead of twice, but still covering the same traditional streets. Instead of staging the parade on Taft, adjacent to Villa Park High School, the new route will start at the south end of the community, on Fitschen Ranch Road, then circle through town along the traditional streets until it ends at Villa Park Towne Centre.

For a Parade Route Map: CLICK ON: BOAT PARADE