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Popular Crystal Cove tree lighting on the beach canceled due to coronavirus

The iconic tree lighting on the sand at Crystal Cove State Beach is canceled this year, another holiday bummer due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Families have their photo taken with Santa at Crystal Cove State Park during the Crystal Cove Conservancy’s 22nd Annual Tree Lighting and Holiday Bazaar in 2018. The event was canceled this year due to the pandemic.(Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer)

The Crystal Cove Conservancy announced this week that because of the COVID-19 pandemic, following health and safety guidance from the state and county departments of health and California State Parks, Crystal Cove Conservancy has cancelled its annual tree lighting and holiday bazaar.

The Crystal Cove holiday tradition that draws crowds of people, with Santa in the sand just steps from the ocean in early December, has been held for more than two decades, starting 23 years ago at the beach wedged between Newport and Laguna beaches.

“We are of course sad not to be able to host this wonderful event again this year, but the health and safety of our members, parkgoers, staff and volunteers remains our top priority. We look forward to gathering with our neighbors again next year to welcome Santa back to the beach,” said Kate Wheeler, Conservancy President and CEO, in a statement. “Through this crisis, we’ve all seen how important protected natural spaces like Crystal Cove are to communities, and we hope our neighbors and supporters will find their way here to explore the quiet of the park in winter until we can gather together again.”

 

 


Source: Orange County Register

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