DOWNEY – The second annual Winter Wonderland Festival, featuring a craft boutique, breakfast with Santa Claus (pre-sale only), live entertainment, raffles, arts and crafts, and more will be held at the Barbara J. Riley Community and Senior Center on Dec. 5 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The entertainment line-up includes Polynesian Dancers, youth combo dance performers, adult and youth jazz dancers, Wee Three and Tot Time pre-school singers and others.

A limited number of Breakfast with Santa tickets are available for $8 and will be sold until Dec. 3. The breakfast is expected to sell out.

Admission to the Winter Wonderland Festival is free.

Home decorating contest

Entries are still being accepted for the city’s annual Holiday Home Decorating Contest. Entry deadline is Dec. 10 and judging will take place Dec. 14. The contest is only open to Downey residents.

Categories will include Best Use of Lights, Lawn/Roof Display, Window Display, Animated Display, Religious Display, Handcrafted Display and Total Display.

City-wide awards will be issued for Holiday Splendor, Santa’s Award, Christmas Magic, Sugar Plum Award and more.

The city is also offering a bus tour of participating homes on Dec. 19. Tickets are $10 for residents age 8 and older.

Other bus trips

Tickets are now on sale for a bus trip to see “Mary Poppins” at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles on Dec. 13. Tickets are $62 for residents age 8 and older.

A trip to the 121st Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena on Jan. 1 is available for $67 per person.

Bus service

DowneyLINK, the city’s public transportation system, will offer extended holiday hours on Saturdays beginning tomorrow.

Until Dec. 19, DowneyLINK will operate from 6:30 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. on Saturdays.

For additional information on any of the programs, call the Barbara J. Riley Community and Senior Center at (562) 904-7223.

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Published: November 27, 2009 - Volume 8 - Issue 32