Holiday Concert set for tonight

Youngsters visit with Santa during a past Scripps Ranch Symphony in the Park Holiday Concert.

Holiday Concert set for tonight

The annual Scripps Ranch Holiday Concert is scheduled for 5 to 6:30 p.m. tonight, Dec. 10, in Jerabek Neighborhood Park, 10200 Scripps Trail.

The concert, produced by the Scripps Ranch Symphony in the Park organization, will feature a band playing holiday songs. Light sticks will be available for the kids and Santa Claus will pass out candy canes.

This year, the annual community Tree Lighting, conducted by local Girl Scouts, will precede the concert with activities from 3 to 5 p.m. Once the Girl Scouts complete the tree lighting ceremony, the band will take over, fueling a warm holiday atmosphere.

The arrival of Santa, of course, is the highlight of the evening, and it’s really something to witness. The children can hear the siren from a fire truck in the distance on the street above the park, and their excitement builds as the sound gets closer.

“Santa Claus comes and passes out candy canes,” said Rachel Votel, Symphony in the Park co-chair. “What’s really exciting is Santa comes down on Engine 37, lights going and everything. It’s pretty cool. It starts there at the top … It’s really, really exciting.”

Once the fire engine arrives, he makes his way toward the bandstand. There, he hands out candy canes to the youngsters and listens to their wishes. He doesn’t leave until long after each child has had their own personal moment to describe their holiday wish list.

Visit symphonyinthepark.org.