December 5, 2006 > Have a holly, jolly Crippsmas

by Charlotte Flowers-Weston

Spread the word. It’s that time of year again when one of Fremont’s most famous and visited holiday decorated neighborhood, Crippsmas Place, gets ready to kick off the season of cheer.

Over 50 Cripps Place residents have decorated their neighborhood for over 40 years, inviting community members and other area residents to walk or drive through the neighborhood and enjoy the beautifully decorated homes along with classic and new beloved children’s cartoon characters on every lawn on Cripps Place, as well as houses on neighboring streets.

Event coordinator Kate Amon says that every year they go around asking the neighbors if they need help to set up their decorations. Over 150,000 people visit the festive neighborhood to see hundreds of painted spotlighted boards with cartoon characters including Spiderman, Harry Potter, Lilo and Stitch, Disney and Looney Toons.

The purpose of Crippsmas Place, besides delighting visitors, is to raise funds for charities. There will be six charities that will benefit from the proceeds this year including the Leukemia Lymphoma Society, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, SAVE (Safe Alternatives to Violent Environments), HERS Breast Cancer Foundation, Kidango’s “Gifts from the Heart,” and Adopt an Angel. Candy canes will be handed out at the end of Wellington Place and any donation visitors wish to give is greatly appreciated.

Volunteers are always needed and welcomed. For information about Crippsmas Place, or how you can volunteer, please call Kate Amon at (510) 821-5579 or email her at kateamon@yahoo.com.

Crippsmas Place
Friday, Dec.15 to Saturday, Dec. 30
6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
(510) 821-5579
Cripps Place, Fremont
Off of Nicolet Ave. between Fremont Blvd. and Gibraltar Dr. You can’t miss it!