A flash mob begins to form on Center Street in Cambria in preparation for its upcoming synchronized dance performance, part of the visitor center’s sponsored event “Holidays in Cambria Village”.
Story and Photos by Connie Pendleton
Cambria was alive Friday and Saturday, Dec. 6 and 7, with live music, a festive atmosphere and excited faces. Restaurants, shops and businesses were fully decked out with sparkling lights and holiday decor in preparation for the first annual “Holidays in Cambria Village,” sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce.
Residents and visitors were enticed by free food, a flash dance mob, gingerbread house contest, tree lighting ceremony, short award-winning films and open houses throughout the village.
Friday afternoon, volunteers outside the visitor center handed out free hot dogs, chips and lemonade while a lively band played holiday music.
First place winner for the Cambria Chamber of Commerce’s 2024 gingerbread contest was awarded to Robin’s Restaurant,
creator Rilyn Gross.
Inside the Chamber, tables were covered with decorated gingerbread houses in competition for prizes and awards. The edible showpieces, created by various locals, were judged based on overall creativity, appearance and craftsmanship. Students from the Champions afterschool program at Cambria Grammar School received Christmas ornaments in recognition of their entries. Adults won ribbons and prizes including proceeds from entry fees.
The winners of the gingerbread competition were chosen Monday and announced by Chamber board member Becky Biskaduros. In first place was a replica of Robin’s Restaurant detailed with frosting and candies forming a red tiled roof, street signs, gingerbread characters, and festive landscaping. Rilyn Gross from Robin’s did the craftsmanship.
The second-place handiwork was crafted by Ren Fuller-Wasserman and Juan Dulanto. It was inspired by the so-called Cliff Shack, a notable oceanfront home located on Sherwood Drive in Cambria. The actual house depicted was designed by well-known local building ‘architect’ Warren Leopold. An accompanying flyer explained that Leopold accompanied his signature on all his drawings with the initials N.A.L.A. (not a licensed architect). Chamber president Steve Kniffen said that entering a gingerbread likeness of that house in a public contest was almost akin to making a political statement. The house, which has garnered local fanfare, is slated to be torn down by new owners. That prospect has created activists out of concerned locals who want to save the “historic” home.
Third place, a classic gingerbread, was decorated with intricate lines of icing, heart shapes and other meticulously detailed features. A delicate wrought-iron picket fence encircling the front yard and a stepping-stone walkway provided landscaping accents. The project was created by Emily and Dinah Piester.
A large crowd began gathering Friday around 5 p.m. outside Robin’s Restaurant on Burton Drive. A flash dance mob took formation as Christmas music began to play. Dressed in red shirts, blue jeans, red tennis shoes and colorful holiday lights draped around their necks, the mob kicked up their heels and danced in synchronized choreography with white lights in their hands for a sparkling effect.
Across the street at the historical museum, Chamber board members handed out free cups of hot chocolate while handbell ringers played holiday songs. Three celebrities soon appeared. A very familiar looking goofy green character, perhaps an escapee from Whoville, made a grand entrance arriving in a vintage Ford woody. Not to be upstaged, Santa and Mrs. Claus arrived on a Cambria fire truck. Santa, who heartily greeted the expectant crowd, offered photo ops. The signature event took place at dark, and the night sky was aglow as the three-story building sized tree was lit.
The Cambria Film Festival presented a handful of shorts, award-winning independent films from the 2024 Festival, and a few trailers from the upcoming 2025 season at the Cambria Center for the Arts. Several local artists also had their creative works on display.
The free trolley was seen carrying passengers and even the Grinchy character who called out greetings to passersby. Juli Amodei, Chamber board member stated the trolley driver said almost 250 riders were transported from each event area to the others, as well as to and from school parking lots to the event locations.
Businesses welcomed extra visitors. Many shoppers came to participate in the holiday festivities, ate at one of the town’s many wonderful restaurants, and did some holiday shopping in the delightful boutiques, galleries and specialty stores. Many of the shops offered discounts and other incentives.
Some of the realty offices participated by having open houses for customers and guests. RE/MAX Pines By the Sea offered baked goods, wine and hot cider. Coldwell Banker had family friendly snacks, punch and dessert items. The Real Estate Company of Cambria also served wine, cheese and snacks. Central Coast Sotheby’s International Realty had hosted an earlier gathering for its customers with local wine and pie.
Representatives from food and dessert establishments, such as the Red Moose Cookie Company and The West End Bar and Grill, stated that it was especially busy.
Shop owners and sales staff reported high foot traffic at Maressa Art Studio, The Love Story Project and Home Arts Cambria. Michael from Bali Gems said the event was great and was so pleased it was held for two days with a great turnout. Rose, of La Vie en Rose Art Studio Boutique, heard many compliments about her shop of wigs, hats, beauty accessories, dolls, and other hand-crafted items; and said, “The book, ‘Returning to the Land of Oz: Finding Hope, Love and Courage on Your Yellow Brick Road,’ was especially popular”.
More information about the Cambria organizations can be found on their websites, Chamber of Commerce, cambriachamber.org; Historical Society, cambriahistoricalsociety.com; Film Festival, cambriafilmfestival.com; and Center for the Arts, cambriaarts.com.
