A 20-year tradition, one for the favorite places for Santa Claus to ring in the festivities of Christmas is the Kings Beach Holiday Fair and Tree Lighting Ceremony.

The jolly elf returns to the North Tahoe Event Center at 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4, and he is bringing his favorite date.
Mrs. Claus, freed from her massive North Pole duties of cookie baking and ornament making, also will be on hand to greet both visitor and residents.

Should the spouse of one of the world’s most famous citizens find time to finish her Christmas shopping she, like others, will find plenty of choices from Tahoe artisans and businesses.

The latter are joined by area nonprofits such as the Boys and Girls Club of North Lake Tahoe. A longtime participant, its booth is a popular stopping place due, in part, to the free hot cocoa and soup handed out to children. Four-legged friends are not forgotten during the holiday season, thanks in part, to the offerings from Sparks Dog Bakery.
Participants are urged to bring an unwrapped gift for the various Toys for Tots collection buckets.

The event, according to North Lake Tahoe Business Association’s Executive Director Cheri Sprenger, is a great way for nonprofits to bring their message to the public and possibly gain new members.

One of the nonprofits receiving a boost this year is the Sierra State Parks. Following this past drama-filled summer of budget crunches, the group of six, which include the Donner Memorial and Sugar Pine Point, will be highlighted for their vast recreational uses.

Besides singing the bountiful praises of Mother Nature everyone can join with the organized caroling that will occur throughout the Holiday Fair.

Offered free of charge a photo with Santa is one memento many cherish annually.

“The Holiday Fair gets everyone into the spirit of the occasion,” Sprenger said. “Especially this year it is a great reminder that life is a wonderful thing.”