Lights, cameras and lots of action filled Bonfante Gardens
Saturday night during its first Holiday Lights event.
Weather nippy but dry, the Gardens were spectacular in the more
than 300,000 twinkling lights.
Lights, cameras and lots of action filled Bonfante Gardens Saturday night during its first Holiday Lights event.
Weather nippy but dry, the Gardens were spectacular in the more than 300,000 twinkling lights. The famous circus trees were outlined in holiday light splendor and all the patrons were of good cheer.
Snowflake Palace shimmered in lights and outdoor heaters for the feasting crowds eating the all-you-can-eat traditional holiday dinner (take those hollow-legged, starving teenage boys, please!).
Dinner guests were serenaded by talented Toy soldiers singing and joking amongst the happy crowd. Among the lights and entertainment were pictures drawn by local young artists, and at each learning shed, movies such as “White Christmas” and “Scrooged” were playing.
Most of the park’s rides were open, and if you haven’t experienced the banana boat ride at night, it’s a must-do.
Trevor Watson, marketing and operations director at Bonfante, was happy with the numbers they are seeing and projects the event will build as the word gets out.
Word of mouth worked for Michelle Sturgill of Monterey who said friends at work were “talking about it.”
She and 18 other friends and family made their way over the hill to see what all the talk was about. The Sturgill’s were not disappointed and caught my eye as having jolly good time.
Steve May of Sunnyvale appeared serious about his marshmallow roasting technique in the S’more making area and explained he likes them “roasted, not flamed.”
His son, Ian, inadvertently flamed his white sugar glob. Steve obligingly ate the burned carbon stating with a smile, “I’m a good Dad.” (licking the rest off his fingers).
Gilroy resident Willy Maquinalez got so caught up in the romance of the event he decided to propose to his girlfriend Michelle Adams. Maquinalez quizzed Holly Perez, Paramount’s Public Relations Representative, as to her idea of the most romantic place to “pop the question.” “Definitely Uncle John’s Patio overlooking Coyote Lake” Good choice Holly (stars, Holiday lights shimmering on the water, festive cheer, aaaahhh!).
Ever the PR opportunist, Perez then asked, “Do you mind if we help you record it for posterity?” Photographer on hand, Maquinalez got down on one knee (aaahhh!) and proposed matrimony to Michelle. She said “yes!” Congratulations to Willy and Michelle.
Other South County residents are getting in the mood of the holidays by attending the myriad musical concerts performed by talented local musicians.
Sunday was a busy day for music lover and longtime Morgan Hill resident Carolyn Wilson.
A good friend of Brant and Mary Anne Ruggles,
Wilson attended the packed Morgan Hill Presbyterian Church to watch and hear Brant conduct the annual Christmas Concert, which included a small orchestra, four hand piano performance, and two choirs.
Genesis, the church’s youth choir, donned their new bowling shirt uniforms, warming up for their touring season.
After the church concert Wilson headed to the Community Playhouse (along with some of the same musicians) to soak up more holiday tunes during the Morgan Hill Wind Symphony concert.
Playing to another packed house, the wind symphony featured a Russian-composer first half followed by fun holiday arrangements in the second half. Under the baton of Vernon Miyata, 40 musicians proved culture is alive and thriving in South Valley with half of the members being local youth. On her way to a career in music was Molly Martindill, principal clarinetist and wonderful soloist during the Procession of the Sarder playing the Arabian ornamentation with a maturity found only by playing in such a fine group.
Talent not limited to the youth, trumpet player Tom Brozene caused smiles within the symphony when he improvised the neigh of a horse during Midnight Sleigh Ride.
Brozene, using a 1950’s style mute, also played The Toy Trumpet recalling the Shirley Temple film, “Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm.” Makes me want to stand up and tap in a frilly dress and curls! Bravi Morgan Hill Wind Symphony.
If you were caught sitting in front of the tube this weekend, exhausted from putting up Mr. Frosty, you still have a chance to catch more local performances. The famous Phil Robb (Bobo to his close associates) will be conducting the Gilroy High School Choir Holiday Concerts at the school theater Dec. 15 and 16 at 7:30pm.
Tickets are available at Porcella’s Music in Gilroy. Robb will also conduct the Gavilan College Choir with the South Valley String Quartet at Advent Lutheran Church on Sunday, Dec. 12 at 7pm.
A musical worship service is to take place at the Gilroy Presbyterian Church Sunday, Dec. 19 with the church’s adult choir “singing the sermon” along with stringed accompaniment.
And the South Valley Symphony will have a concert Saturday, Dec. 18 at Gavilan College at 4pm.
Plenty of Holiday music performance left to help you “get in the mood”!
