St. Mark’s-in-the-Valley Episcopal Church invites the public to attend the first “Gingerbread Wonderland” fundraiser, artisan marketplace and enjoy visits with Santa and a free holiday concert featuring Adam Phillips, David West and Lauren Donahue on Saturday, Dec. 7. These are new additions to the annual Los Olivos Olde Fashioned Christmas celebration.
The church’s Stacy Hall will be transformed into a Gingerbread Wonderland featuring 35 handmade gingerbread houses on display, crafted by local children and families. Guests can vote for their favorites with tickets of $1 each, and all proceeds will benefit Arts Outreach and St. Mark’s Preschool.
Additionally, for those who love to bake, there will be a Christmas Cookie Bake-off. Participants are asked to bring 31⁄2 dozen of their favorite holiday cookie to the church by noon. Representatives of the Solvang Bakery will be judging the best in show and all the rest will be sold during the bake sale.
Santa will be stopping by the church parlor from 2 to 5:30 p.m. offering a cozy place for kids to share their Christmas wishes.
On the church lawn, an Artisans Bazaar will feature more than 10 local designers selling their wares.
In the church courtyard, there will be opportunities for children to create and decorate Christmas ornaments and prepare an angel halo for the procession leading to the Los Olivos Christmas Tree lighting at the flagpole just one block away from the church.
Following the Los Olivos Christmas Tree Lighting the public is invited to enjoy a free holiday concert at featuring Adam Phillips, a classically trained tenor singer⁄songwriter who fell in love with the sounds of old time acoustic Americana music and is now based in Santa Barbara. He will be joined in concert by popular local musicians David West on acoustic guitar, mandolin, and banjo, and Lauren Donahue on fiddle and harmony vocals.
In 2008, Phillips released his first album and in 2011, released Songs of Old (a Christmas Album) For more information, visit www.reverbnation.com⁄adamphillipshymns.
After the concert, a reception with complimentary refreshments will be held in Stacy Hall surrounded by Gingerbread Wonderland with a final opportunity to vote for favorites.
The following is St. Mark’s special event schedule:
• 2 to 8 p.m. — Gingerbread Wonderland — with 35 gingerbread houses on display. Vote for your favorite with $1 ticket.
• 2 to 5:30 p.m. — Santa Claus in St. Mark’s Parlor — Bring your camera for special photo opportunity.
• 2 to 6:30 p.m. — Artisans Bazaar with 10 creative designers selling wares on St. Mark’s lawn.
• 2 to 5:45 p.m. — Craft stations to create Christmas decorations and Angel halos.
• 5:45 to 6 p.m. — Angel Procession of children from St. Mark’s to the Los Olivos flagpole (one block).
• 6 to 6:15 p.m. — Official Lighting of the Los Olivos Christmas Tree at the flagpole.
n 6:30 p.m. — Free Holiday Concert by Adam Phillips with David West and Lauren Donahue followed by refreshments in Stacy Hall’s Gingerbread Wonderland.
“We are thrilled to host these family-friendly activities for the community as part of the Los Olivos Olde Fashioned Christmas celebration this year,” said The Rev. Dr. Randall Day, St. Mark’s Priest and Rector. “This day is a wonderful way to celebrate the season.”
St. Mark’s-in-the-Valley Episcopal Church, 2901 Nojoqui Ave., Los Olivos.
For more information, call Yvonne Lowe, St. Mark’s Preschool director at 688-1815.