by Noella Noelophile®
(Graphic courtesy of Jason Minsky/Christmas in the Park, and used with permission.)
This Saturday, in San Jose, is going to be a “nightmare”–of the very best kind.
That’s because on Saturday evening, Christmas in the Park hosts its second annual fundraiser, “A Nightmare Before Christmas in the Park”.
While the Christmas in the Park warehouse manager may well wake up screaming, this promises to be a “ghoulishly” fun Halloween party for just about everyone else.
Guests get to explore the warehouse for a Tim Burton-style “haunted Christmas” experience. There will be pumpkin bocce (can’t say I ‘ve ever played that, but there’s a first time for everything!) and carnival-like games, as well as dueling pianos, food, wine and a DJ. Of course, there will be a costume competition. And if you’re exceptionally brave, they also have a new “black-maze”, from which escaping may be more than hair-raising!
Best of all, proceeds from “A Nightmare Before Christmas in the Park” support a great cause. nonprofit “Christmas in the Park”, a San Jose tradition now in its 36th year. Since the 1980s, “Christmas in the Park” has delighted the Bay Area with its elaborate displays,lighted trees and festive entertainment. Part of this Christmas tradition, is that admission is free, as a gift to anyone who’d like to experience “Christmas in the Park”.
However, putting on a show like this one is anything but low-cost, so donations are encouraged. When it opens on November 27th, this year’s Christmas in the Park will include more than 40 musical and animated displays. Christmas movie nights will be part of the fun on Wednesdays in December. And if last year is any indication, there should be around 500 community-decorated trees to admire at Plaza de Cesar Chavez during the 38 days of this special event.
“Donations were definitely down last year, so an event like (Nightmare Before Christmas in the Park) is very important,” said Christmas in the Park Executive Director Jason Minsky. “We have to keep thinking of ways that people can enjoy our event free of charge, and our “Nightmare” event is just one program that will help.”
Want to help while having a “scary good” time for Halloween? Here’s the link for more information.