Rain Doesn't Dampen Holiday Spirits

A little rain didn't get in the way for the hearty holiday celebrants in Martinez on Friday.

Despite a day full of rain and a light evening drizzle, more than 50 people stood along Pine Street for the city's annual holiday tree lighting.

In addition, Holiday Frolic organizers moved their event's Snow Park, arcade activities and Santa's corner into the BowRack. Dozens of family members flocked to the indoor facility to enjoy the fun.

The Children's Light Parade and the ice skating rink were cancelled, but the other events went on either as planned or altered for the weather.

At the tree lighting, Joseph Palmer of the Natural Healings holistic center, led the crowd in a countdown to the 5:30 p.m. lighting of the city's Tree of Spirit.

Palmer helped start this tradition 13 years ago after the city cut down its holiday tree during a flood abatement project downtown.

His office sits near the small park where the 65-foot redwood stands, now adorned with 30,000 colorful lights.

Palmer said there would have had to be an heavy downpour for this event to be cancelled.

"It's tradition. We had to do it," he said.

Among those attending was a group of Martinez neighbors who have been coming to the tree lighting for the past four years. There were five children and six adults, including Tim Phillips, Hilary Phillips, Eibleis Melendez and Wendy Ke.

They all agreed a little rain wasn't going to keep them away.

The rain also didn't keep the crowds away from the indoor Snow Park. Dozens of adults and children played inside the Bowrack, sledding down a snowy slope, competing in arcade games and sitting on Santa's lap.

Lisa Fowler of Tomboy Entertainment, one of the event's organizers, said celebrants seemed to be in good spirits despite the weather.

"I hear people laughing and I see people dancing," she said.

The Frolic went until 9 p.m. Friday. It'll be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday.