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San Gabriel’s holiday tree lighting drew about 3,000, organizers say; stamp-card giveaway ran out
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Summary
Recreation staff said the Dec. 2 holiday tree lighting drew an estimated 3,000 people, led to unexpectedly high demand for stamped-sample cards and hot cocoa, and prompted staff to plan additional logistical changes for next year’s 50th anniversary event.
Recreation Supervisor Andy Schoopler told the Community Services Commission that the city’s Dec. 2 holiday tree lighting drew an estimated 3,000 attendees and included a Taste of San Gabriel featuring eight local restaurants, student performances and a parade escort for Santa by the Fire and Police departments.
"We estimated we had approximately 3,000 people in attendance at the event this year," Schoopler said, and he described changes to event layout and added LED lighting that staff believe improved pedestrian flow and safety. He said vendors and performers included local restaurants, the Jefferson choir and orchestra, the San Gabriel High School marching band and local dance classes.
Commissioners and staff discussed operational challenges. Schoopler said staff had printed about 300 stamp cards and asked restaurants to provide 250 small treats; some restaurants declined larger asks. The event used an estimated 800 cups of hot cocoa. As one commissioner described it, volunteers and staff were "not ready for that many people" and the stamp cards "ran out those cards fast." Schoopler said the results will guide procurement and vendor requests for next year’s 50th-anniversary event and that staff will consider adding more hot cocoa booths and renting additional equipment to reduce lines.
Several commissioners praised improvements to pedestrian flow and staging for Santa, and staff said they will follow up with vendors about whether the event drove increased business. Schoopler said organizers secured commitments from many vendors to return next year and noted that the city will plan a larger celebration for the next (50th) anniversary.
Next steps: staff will follow up with vendors to collect participation and impact data and use lessons learned (stamp cards, additional hot cocoa booths, equipment rental) to inform planning and any budget requests for the 50th anniversary.
