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Community Corner

30-Foot Tall Christmas Tree Unveiled Ahead of Christmas Comes to IB

Tell Santa what you want for Christmas and enjoy a petting zoo and lots of live music at Christmas Comes to IB Saturday from noon to 5 p.m.

A 30-foot tall Christmas tree was unveiled in Pier Plaza Wednesday, signaling the start of the Christmas season in Imperial Beach.

John Haupt, owner of the Beach Club Grille went to a tree farm east of Imperial Beach Wednesday morning to choose the Monterey Pine. It was then transported to Pier Plaza an EDCO truck and mounted in place by city Public Works employees.

The tree's lights will be turned on for the first time at sunset Saturday at the end of , a free family event.

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Santa and the Mrs. will roll in at noon on a big red Imperial Beach Fire Department truck and will be available for photos and to listen to Christmas wishes.

Kids can keep busy with arts and crafts, pony rides and even a petting zoo. There will be games and prizes, a clown, balloon animals and face painting. Gifts will regularly be raffled off, including seven bikes paid for by the Fleet Reserve Association.

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Holiday cookies, snacks and refreshments will be available.

Live entertainment and music will be provided by the Mar Vista High school Jazz Ensemble, Calvary IB Worship Team, Ocean View Church Jazz Band, Eric Leal, the Coronado Spinners, Long Beach Cowboy and Don Lee.

This Christmas event is put on by IB Chamber of Commerce and gracious sponsors from across Imperial Beach. More than 1,000 people attended.

Volunteers and unwrapped toys are still needed. If interested, .

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