The community came together for the 2nd Annual Christmas Tree Lighting in Baywood Park. Photo by Dean Sullivan
By the Los Osos and Baywood Park Chamber of Commerce
Holiday cheer was on full display throughout the community this December, beginning with the 2nd Annual Baywood Tree Lighting and rolling right into the much-loved 34th Annual Los Osos Holiday Parade. Thanks to the dedication of the Los Osos/Baywood Park Chamber of Commerce and an army of volunteers, the season was truly merry and bright.
The festivities kicked off on Saturday, December 6, with a fun, family-friendly Baywood Tree Lighting that brought neighbors together for an evening of celebration. A new and welcome addition this year was a temporary road closure, helping keep everyone safe while opening the door for future growth of the event and new ways to support Baywood businesses. The beautiful holiday tree was purchased through the Morro Bay High School Music Boosters fundraiser, and special thanks go to the Baywood Inn staff and manager Curtis Armstrong for handling the decorating and setup.
A heartfelt thank-you goes out to the Chamber and Kiwanis volunteers who helped make the evening sparkle, including Dawn Rodden, Karen Sweeny, Brittany Armstrong, Mason Randall, Gary Freiberg, Gary Dove, Melanie Williams-Mahan, Jim Stanfill, President Colleen Vecchetti, Annie Wahler, Billy Burke, Jason Hayes, Elizabeth Denny, and the MBHS Key Club. Their teamwork turned a simple tree lighting into a cherished community tradition.
The holiday fun continued the following weekend as crowds lined Los Osos Valley Road on Saturday, December 13, for the 36th Annual Holiday Parade, themed “A Beary Merry Christmas.” Festive floats, music, walkers, and animal friends filled the street with seasonal joy, while families cheered on their favorite entries.
Special thanks go to the parade committee — Jim Stanfill, Annie Wahler, Mason Randall, Dawn Rodden, and Chamber President Colleen Vecchetti — along with the many volunteers who made parade day run smoothly. Rotary Interact students handled barricade duties, parade lineup organizers kept things on track, and Kiwanis fueled the crowd with a popular pancake breakfast before the parade began.
Adding even more sparkle to the day was our longtime announcer Gary Freiberg, who truly went above and beyond. Not only was he honored as 2024 Volunteer of the Year — riding proudly in the parade — but he also managed to hustle back in time to resume his announcing duties.
This year’s parade award winners were:
• Best of Theme: Rotary of Los Osos
• Best Music: The Rock Radio Station
• Best Float: Formula Factory Fab
• Best Walking Entry: Los Osos Middle School
• Best Animal Friends: Velvet Noses Horse Ministry
• Judges’ Favorite: Lemos Feed & Pet Supply
A shout out to our sponsors of these holiday events; Bear Valley Realty, Grocery Outlet, Crizer Construction, Brightside Pizza, Trimlight Central Coast, Bay Osos Brokers/Property Management, Energywise Realty, Golden State Water, Sunnyside Park Citizens Coalition, Los Osos Rexall, Baywood Inn and Estero Bay News.
From tree lights to parade delights, Los Osos and Baywood Park truly know how to celebrate the season together. The holiday fun isn’t over yet — Light Up Los Osos is still shining bright! Community members are encouraged to sign up their home or business light displays at www.lightuplososos.com and help keep the festive spirit glowing throughout town. For more information about the Chamber and how to participate in Light Up Los Osos and other upcoming events, visit lobpchamber.org.
Parade Photos by John Lindsey
