Dancing in the Rain at Holiday Faire

  • Frazier Park Car Club was a hit with the parade crowd. [Gunnar Kuepper photo]

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    Frazier Park Car Club was a hit with the parade crowd. [Gunnar Kuepper photo]

  • Girl Scouts marched and skipped with big smiles under umbrellas. [Meyer/Hedlund photos]

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    Girl Scouts marched and skipped with big smiles under umbrellas. [Meyer/Hedlund photos]

  • Militsa Brennan of Dream Weaver Ranch sold handmade treasures. [Hedlund photo]

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    Militsa Brennan of Dream Weaver Ranch sold handmade treasures. [Hedlund photo]

  • Santa was in spirited form throughout the parade. Merry Christmas! [Gunnar Kuepper photo]

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    Santa was in spirited form throughout the parade. Merry Christmas! [Gunnar Kuepper photo]

  • The new Chatterpillar (Toys, Balloons and Gifts—now located across from Coffee Cantina) had an exciting float. [Meyer photo]

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    The new Chatterpillar (Toys, Balloons and Gifts—now located across from Coffee Cantina) had an exciting float. [Meyer photo]

By The Mountain Enterprise staff

Happy crowds came out to laugh, visit and shop under colorful Holiday Faire canopies Saturday, Dec. 1 in Frazier Park. The Cuddy Valley Pony Club gave tots pony rides. Mt. Pinos Way was a sparkling Santa’s village. But suspense mounted as clouds darkened.

The rain began at 3:30 p.m., just as 40 parade entries were to began assembling at the east end of Mt. Pinos Way.

The Pony Club decided not to risk having a pony slip on wet pavement. Others quietly cancelled their participation.

As the rain grew steady, the crowd along Mt. Pinos Way thinned and seemed to vanish. Questions were whispered about whether the parade might be cancelled.

But then, just after 4 p.m., a troop of equestrians bearing a large American flag suddenly trotted ahead, renewing the enthusiasm of the crowds.

Families reappeared to line the streets for a wet and happy celebration. An estimated 500 people splashed through the puddles and waved at their friends, laughing as Christmas floats filled with elves in rain slickers, sparkling lights, two Santas, Chatterpillar’s towering balloon Christmas tree, the Frazier Park Car Club’s classic cars, Girl Scouts, the Boys & Girls Club, El Tejon School’s Drumline, In the Wings Dance Studio, Relay for Life, Realty Executives, Focus Central, Fire Station 57, Hall Ambulance, FAS Auto and more filled the town with cheer.

It was a triumph for the newly revitalized Mountain Communities Chamber of Commerce to bring back the Holiday Faire and Parade after its cancellation last year.

An empty treasury was the Grinch that stole the Holiday Faire in 2011, but the 2012 chamber has blossomed stronger than ever under the steady hand of new president Rachel Unell.

Enthusiastic Holiday Faire coordinator Robin Willoughby worked with Militsa Brennan and an active committee to create a notable comeback for the winter celebration, brightening spirits even through the rain.

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This is part of the December 07, 2012 online edition of The Mountain Enterprise.

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