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Placentia staff preview 'Tamale Holiday' in Old Town after budget trimming
Summary
City staff told council they cut more than $30,000 from last year’s tree‑lighting budget and combined events to launch a 'Tamale Holiday' in Old Town Placentia on Dec. 11, with six local tamale vendors, family activities and a $5 wristband for attractions.
City staff provided a briefing on Dec. 2 about a consolidated holiday event in Old Town Placentia called the Tamale Holiday. Director of Community Services Liddy Gutfeld said staff reduced event spending by more than $30,000 compared with last year by combining the tree lighting and the long‑running tamale festival.
Gutfeld said the Tamale Holiday will run Dec. 11 from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., will feature six tamale vendors drawn from Placentia and North Orange County, several food and artisan vendors, three community beer gardens operated by local organizations (the Chamber, Santa Fe Merchants and Rotary Club), and family activities including artificial snow (staff said they are bringing 50 tons of snow for sliding and play areas). Staff proposed a $5 wristband to access family activities and photos with Santa; Gutfeld noted roughly $14,000 in confirmed revenue and $3,000 in sponsorships toward a $39,500 budgeted amount.
Council members responded positively to the civic‑and‑family focus and thanked staff for reducing costs and preserving a community feel for the event. The council was reminded that the event is one of two remaining meetings before the end of the calendar year and encouraged the public to attend.
