COAST CITIES — Santa will be taking some time off of his summer vacation later this July to help celebrate Christmas at South Carlsbad State Beach for the fifth annual Christmas in July fundraiser.
The free event is put on annually by the FCCSB (Friends of Cardiff & Carlsbad State Beaches.) It’s the biggest fundraiser event for the nonprofit group that formed in 2009 to help support and maintain beaches from Cardiff to Carlsbad.
This year’s event looks to be bigger than before with festive music from “DJ Dave” Russell, food vendors and, of course, Santa will visit throughout the campground. Other festivities include a silent auction and a grand prize drawing for an opportunity to win a free week of camping at either South Carlsbad State Beach or San Elijo State Beach.
But apart from the fundraising, FCCSB President Bill Wisener said the whole purpose of Christmas in July is for the children.
Plenty of games will be available and every kid will receive a gift from Santa. There’s also going to be a coloring contest where the winner’s art will be used for the group’s other event, their Halloween “Spooktacular.”
Many of the projects the FCCSB is able to complete are made possible by the funding received from their July event. Projects around campgrounds include the improvement of camp host sites. Camp hosts, Wisener said, are the lifeblood when it comes to the campgrounds.
In addition to improvement projects, FCCSB has developed a special events area called Pelican Point inside the Carlsbad State Park. “We rent that out to church groups, boy scouts; pretty much any type of nonprofit organization that’s trying to benefit their community,” Wisener said. The space, he added, is also rented out for parties or weddings, with all of the revenue raised going back to the parks.
Despite receiving help from volunteers, the group still needs additional help, Wisener said. He said they’re looking for extra help with ticket sales especially, but that any other skilled volunteers as photographers, face painters or balloon artist who care to donate their time would be fantastic.
Businesses interested in donating items for the prize drawings or volunteers interested in helping with the event may call Bill Mahoney at (858) 603-2705 or by email at [email protected].
Tickets for the opportunity drawing are on sale now and may be purchased from camp hosts at South Carlsbad State Beach or at San Elijo State Beach. Tickets are $5 each or 5 for $20, or 30 for $100. Tickets may also be purchased by sending a check made out to FCCSB to Bill Mahoney, P.O. Box 232363, Encinitas, CA 92023-2363.
FCCSB is always looking for new members. The group has close to 100 members and meets twice a month.
The event is July 28 and begins at noon.
Visit fccsb.org for more information.
