Holiday Extravaganza Brightens Pacifica Community Center

The trees on Crespi Drive are decked: it’s officially holiday season in Pacifica.

Residents of Pacifica and the region flocked to the Friday night to witness the , lingered to get their kids’ pictures taken with Santa and Mrs. Claus and perused locally-made crafts and art at the Elf Market, all part of the Pacifica Parks, Beaches and Recreation Department’s Holiday Extravaganza.

Mike Perez, director of the PB&R, said turnout was good and there was no wanting for vendors at the Elf Market, which began in the 1970s as a venue for children to buy inexpensive gifts during the holidays.

“It’s that popular, people are jumping on it, and we still get people asking us to be on the waiting list,” he said.

Before Perez flipped the switch to light up the pines in front of the community center,  fourth graders, led by music teacher Tom Stafford, sang holiday jingles to get everyone in the spirit.

The halls and rooms of the community center were packed following the show of lights as shoppers spent money locally on crafts, artwork and snacks at the Elf Market. The market continued Saturday.

Linda Freitas, a San Bruno resident and owner Linda’s Homemade Candies and Crafts, was selling homemade rocky road and Russian cakes made with vodka and Kahlua.

“We just started out last year, so this is our second year and we decided to take on some more events and this is one of them that we heard was quite large,” she said when asked why she was selling at the Elf Market. 

Sharing her table at the market was her partner, Diane, who was selling lit wine bottles--merry Christmas décor.

Sharp Park resident and glass artist Mike McGahan was selling his art at the Elf Market for the third year in a row.

“We do fairly well here,” he said. “I like it because of the local people, most of this stuff here is made here and it's sold to people that live here. I like it because it's community, its non-corporate.”

Check out photos from the event in the gallery above.