Crippsmas Place, a tradition that began out of Robert “Spider” Cantley’s backyard in the late 1960s, has now turned into a highly anticipated event attended by thousands. For almost 40 years, Cantley and his neighbors decorated their surrounding neighborhood with lights and grand cartoon displays as a fundraiser in memory of his mother who was lost to Leukemia. In 2004, Cantley retired, and a group of neighbors led by Kate Amon formed the Crippsmas Club to take over the event.
In addition to the original Leukemia-Lymphoma Society organization they donated funds to, the Club added five more charities: H.E.R.S. Breast Cancer Foundation, Safe Alternatives to Violent Environments, Adopt an Angel, Ohlone Humane Society’s Wildlife Rehab Center and Fremont Family Resource Center. Vice President Thomas Sharp has lived at Wellington Place and contributed to the event for more than 30 years. “We’ve had people bringing their grandchildren to the event that they participated in when they were children,” Sharp said, “It’s a very big tradition in some families.”
The event started in Cripps Place and has now expanded to the adjacent area, Wellington Place, where more than 70 homes decorate with lights and displays each year. The Crippsmas Club begins planning operations at the beginning of the year, and the organization is mainly neighborhood-based. Most of the setup is done by neighbors themselves on their properties. For elderly people with difficulties preparing displays, local volunteers are recruited from places such as American High School. Last year, the Crippsmas Place event fundraised around $20,000 for local charities. Volunteers walked around with donation buckets and candy canes to sell along the streets, and the contributions were donated to their six main charities.
The upcoming holiday festivities for Crippsmas Place will span from Dec. 7 to 25 with events and special performances. “It’s something to draw people from all over to the Tri-City area for them to enjoy the festivities,” Sharp said. There will be special appearances from Santa Claus from 6pm to 8pm, nightly from Dec. 8 to 10 and December 15 to 17, accompanied by Mrs. Claus from 6:30pm to 8:30pm on Dec. 23. Visitors can also enjoy carolers from choirs, Girl Scout troops and other vocal assemblies from 6:00pm to 9:30pm from Dec.7 to 25 at the end of Wellington Place’s cul-de-sac. The Tapestry band will perform live music at 6pm on Dec. 22.
People from across the Bay Area visit Crippsmas Place to see their festive decorations and wooden displays that feature popular characters such as Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Ninja Turtles, Superman, Batman and Spider-Man. With the help of their sponsors Fremont Bank and other local businesses that fund the materials for decorations, they create new displays to keep up with the latest pop culture trends—such as Barbie, a major hit in 2023. “We’re always trying to stay relevant with the latest of what young people would enjoy,” Sharp said.
In anticipation of this year’s Crippsmas Place event, Sharp said, “We hope to continue with the tradition of being relevant to the community, seeing people coming out, enjoying what we do and helping our charities with them.”
Crippsmas Place
Nightly, Saturday, Dec. 7 – Saturday, Dec. 28
Nicolet Ave. from Asquith Place to Perkins St.
SANTA & MUSIC SCHEDULE
Girl scouts handing out ornament kits by Santa?
Sun Dec 8: 6pm – 8pm Santa Claus
Mon Dec 9: 6pm – 8pm Santa Claus
Tue Dec 10: 6pm – 8pm Santa Claus
Fri Dec 13: 6:30pm Oliveira Glee Club and Families (30 to 40 performers)
Sun Dec 15: 6pm – 8pm Santa Claus
Mon Dec 16: 6pm – 8pm Santa Claus
Tue Dec 17: 6pm – 8pm Santa Claus
Tue Dec 17: 6:30pm Oliveira Glee Club and Families (30 to 40 performers)
Fri Dec 20: 7pm Alta Performing Arts (~15 to 20 performers)
Sun Dec 22: 6pm Tapestry (4 performers)
Sun Dec 22: Santa Claus 6pm – 8pm
Mon Dec 23: Santa & Mrs Claus 6:30pm – 8:30pm
