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Saint Martin's Day – Lanterns, 'Weckmänner' and more

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Laterne! Laterne! Sonne, Mond und Sterne…

A ‘Sankt Martin’s Tag’ lantern parade is a beloved tradition for children in Germany. Saint Martin’s Day is celebrated on November 11th and I remember it as a day that rang in the joyful winter season that culminates in the year’s most festive celebration, Christmas. As a tasty precursor to all the delicious Christmas cookies, kids are offered “Weckmänner”that day, a pastry that’s made of sweet leavened dough, in the form of a man.

GermanPacificSchool in San Diego and GermanSchoolCampus in Newport Beach, both had their lantern parades already early this year and they sent us some cool pictures. While GermanSchoolCampus celebrated in Irvine and walked along Woodbridge lake, GermanPacificSchool had its lantern walk on Mission Bay combined with a bonfire on the beach.

To get you in the right holiday mood here in sunny California we have put together a little compilation of Saint Martin’s Day celebrations in SoCal for you! 

If you live in Northern California, watch out for lantern parade happenings this weekend! Two we have listed for you right here:

1 ) German Language School of Marin has its Laternenfest in Novato & Santa Rosa on Saturday, November 12 at 5:30pm!

2 ) Bay Area Kinderstube in Albany has a Laternenfest for all, who live in the Berkeley/San Francisco area on Saturday, November 12 at 4:00pm. (Check out our earlier post on this topic that offers more details on where & when)

Get in the right mood for Saint Martin’s Day with our slide show:

Slide-Show Images: GermanSchoolCampus & GermanPacificSchool
Image: “Kinder beim Martinssingen”, © Superbass / CC-BY-SA-4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

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Halloween & Saint Martin's Lantern Parades in California

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November is here in less than a week! This is the month when winter sneaks up on us with its dark and foggy days – at least in Germany…

November 1st usually has a melancholy note, when many families in Germany observe Allerheiligen and Allerseelen ( All Saints & All Souls Day) by visiting graves of their deceased loved ones. Therefor we are looking forward to festive events like Saint Martin’s Day with its lantern parades, and the First Advent, that often starts towards the end of November, and which will bring us closer to the much anticipated Christmas celebration.

As expats, we love to enjoy some of our German traditions also in our country of choice and here, in California, German schools are doing a great job in honoring these. And so, around November 11th, the official Saint Martin’s Day, you might even find some Saint Martin’s Day celebrations wtih a traditional lantern parade in your proximity. At some events you are invited to build your own lantern while enjoying some Glühwein and getting into holiday mood!

Tivoli Rainbow Garden Preschool in West L.A. is starting out early this year with a special Enchanted Halloween which is taking place already this weekend!!

GermanSchoolCampus in Newport Beach, Bay Area Kindergarten in Berkeley/Albany, GISSV in San Francisco, German Pacific School in San Diego, all have their events in the beginning of November 2016!

Please find detailed information on each event below:

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Tivoli Rainbow Garden Preschool -ENCHANTED HALLOWEEN  Saturday, October 29, 4:30pm

This is an evening of magic and enchantment for the children, and it is open to the community. Our annual event is for children ages one to seven. Please come by and wear your not scary (!) costume. It’s a magical evening where the Queen of Fairies will enchant the children! 

Tivoli Rainbow Garden Preschool       
3170 Stoner Avenue,
Mar Vista,
CA 90066

For questions contact us at TivoliRainbowGarden @gmail.com

We look forward to seeing everyone there!

Suggested Donation: $10

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GermanSchoolCampus in Newport Beach                                          Saturday, November 5th at 6:30 pm

Join us in our Lantern Parade in Irvine, in front of Ute’s Kinderschule, on Saturday, November 5th at 6:30pm. Please notify us of your attendance so we can plan accordingly and be sure to have enough lanterns and don’t forget to bring a jacket!

Like last year we are planning on ordering the “Weckmännchen,” a special pastry tradition on St. Martin’s Day. We will also have a snack and Lemonade for after the parade. Please pre-order your “Weckmännchen” to be sure that your child will get one and will not be left out. Price is only $10 each!

Children under age of 6 please contact Frau Ute at:
Ute Chiu (uteskinderschule@gmail.com)
Children above 7 years please contact Frau Ursula at: Ursula.Schoeneich@Germanschoolcampus.com

Children need to be chaperoned by their parents!

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Laternenfest at Bay Area Kinderstube in Albany                            Saturday, November 12 at 4:00pm

Come celebrate the German tradition of St. Martin’s Day with us at Bay Area Kinderstube in Albany!
See our children perform on stage, sing songs with us, and join our annual lantern parade. You can bring your own lantern or buy one from us!
Enjoy seasonal treats including “Glühwein” (mulled wine), beer, hot chocolate, grilled sausages, “Weckmänner” (a German sweet bread) and soft pretzels.
Don’t miss the chance to win one of many incredible gift baskets at our raffle!
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Bay Area Kinderstube
842 Key Route Boulevard
Albany, CA 94706

Admission fee:
$2 individual / $5 family

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GISSV – Schule  – GISSV San Francisco Campus (4 & 8 Funston Avenue) Saturday, November 5 at 3 PM – 7 PM

Save the date and join us for the 2nd annual GISSV San Francisco Laternenfest/Lantern Festival & Parade in the Presidio on Saturday, November 5 from 3 to 7 pm!

Join us for a fun and festive afternoon in the Presidio! There will be crafts, lantern making, food, drinks and a lantern parade around the neighborhood.

Schedule of Events

CRAFTS + ACTIVITIES (in + around 4 Funston Ave)
3:00 – 4:30 pm: Lantern Making Craft
3:00 – 4:15 pm: Kinder Program Activities (Face-Painting, Games, etc)

PERFORMANCES (lawn between 4 & 5 Funston Ave)
4:30 – 5:15 pm

LANTERN PARADE (start at 4 Funston Ave)
5:30 – 6:00 pm

FOOD + DRINKS
3:00 – 7:00 pm: Bake Sale, Pretzels + Coffee, Water and Apple Spritzer (Apfelschorle)
4:00 – 7:00 pm: Hot Cider + Puch for Children (Kinderpunsch)
4:00 – 7:30 pm: Little Red Riding Truck

For more information, visit gissv.org/laternenfest

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Albert Einstein Academy San Diego                                                      Saturday, November 5th, 4-7pm

The 15th Annual Lantern Festival will take place at the AEA Elementary School on Saturday, November 5th, 2016 from 4-7 pm. It has become a wonderful tradition for the whole family to enjoy. Join us in celebrating a 100-year-old German tradition with food and drinks, singing, and ending with a traditional lantern walk around the neighborhood.

In the spirit of Saint Martin’s gift to a coatless beggar, we will be collecting gently used coats and blankets for those in need again this year. The collection for these items will start a few days before the festival.

Please join us for a bratwurst dinner, bake sale, and music. The event will end with a Lantern Parade around the neighborhood.

Students in grades K-4 will be crafting Lanterns with their German teachers. If you have a younger or older child that is interested in making a Lantern to carry for the walk, please visit this Lantern Crafting website for ideas and templates. Sticks and lights for the Lanterns will be available for purchase at the event.

For more information on the St. Martin’s Day Tradition and Laternenumzug, please check this out Martinstag (St. Martin’s Day).

Date and Time
Saturday, November 5th, 2016, 4-7 pm

Location
Albert Einstein Academies Elementary School
3035 Ash St, San Diego, CA, 92102 (map)

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German Pacific School San Diego                                                               Sunday, November 6th,  4:30-6:30pm

GPSSD is planning its Lantern Parade for Sunday, 6. November from 4pm-6:30pm in Mission Bay, with Brats, Sauerkraut and ‘Weckmänner’. Join them for a parade, a campfire and a ‘half’-potluck in Mission Bay!

Please bring a small dish to share 🙂

For more information on exact location and time, please contact the school at germanpacificschool@gmail.com or call (858)-461-9118

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German Language School of Marin                                                                 Saturday, November 12th, 5:30pm

Join the German Language School of Marin on November 12 at 5:30pm for a Laternenfest in Novato & Santa Rosa!

Lantern Festival, Music Parade, and Refreshments

We will have a lantern parade and refreshments will be available. We’ll meet at the locations below to light our lanterns (with flameless candles) before beginning our parade. Afterwards we will have hot chocolate and Weckmänner cookies available if desired.

In Novato
We will meet on Saturday, November 12 at 5:30pm at Pioneer Park in Novato (map it). Help us plan! Please RSVP to Kristina Paster, Events Manager, by email, call us at 415.897.9771, or let us know during school on Saturday if you would like to join us and would like cookies.

In Santa Rosa
We will meet on Saturday, November 12 at 5:30pm at our school campus in Santa Rosa (map it). Please RSVP to Susanne Ivarson, Santa Rosa Campus Manager, by email, call us at 415.897.9771, or let us know during school on Saturday if you would like to join us and would like Weckmänner cookies.

The parade is free! Only $5 per person if you would like a cup of hot chocolate and Weckmänner cookies afterward. Everyone is welcome, so bring friends!

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Weckmann Stutenkerl – Gebildebrot aus Hefeteig mit Pfeife (WikiMediaCommons)

 

 

 

Fun Open House Event at the German School Campus this Saturday

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Newport Sea BaseOPEN HOUSE at the Newport Sea Base and German School Campus

Enjoy a nautical Saturday with a little German mixed in at the Newport Bay. The Newport Sea Base and the German School Campus, which is located at the Sea Base, have a fun day planned ahead.

Bring your friends and family and discover the exciting possibilities for girls and boys on the waterfront, and find out more about the German School Summer Camp as well as registration for the upcoming school year 2016/17.

Free Events and Activities are the following:

Sailboat & Pontoon Boat Rides
“Coastie” the Talking Tugboat
Sea Scout and NSB Sailing Team
Vessel Tours
Face Painting
Origami Boat Making
Huck Finn Fishing
Row Boats
Kayaking
Lunch provided courtesy of the Balboa Bay Club
Andy Fitzpatrick Regatta

Location: Newport Sea Base
1931 West Coast Highway
Newport Beach CA
Date: April 30, 2016
Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

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2016 German Language Summer Camps in California

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It’s only just springtime but summer will be here quicker than we think. And we know that summer vacation for kids here in the USA is by far longer than in Germany. Having grown up in Germany I remember my 6-week summer vacation seemed endless (until I was a teenager of course) and I would have loved to go to a cool summer camp. The choices here in the U.S. are amazing, from adventure and sports camps to academic camps and more. All is covered!

So here we go:  For all our German families staying in California for the summer, why not immerse your kids into the German language while also having fun at a German Summer Camp?

Camps are offered in both, Southern & Northern California

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San Diego – German Pacific School San Diego

Science & German Go Hand in Hand

This year’s camp by German Pacific School SD is all about flying, flying machines, rockets, space travel, planets and stars!

One highlight: We will explore the Air and Space Center and the Science Center in Balboa Park. We will: spend a lot of time outside, play board games, read books, continue to fill up our writer’s journals from last year, build rockets and, as always, have a big construction project in the yard.

There will be only two weeks of camp this year (June & July), so better sign up quickly!

Check out the flyer below for Info & Dates:

SummerCamp2016_flyer

 

Newport Beach – GermanSchoolCampus

German & Environmental Science Camp

  • 1st week Monday June 27th to Friday July 1st
  • 2nd week Tuesday July 5th to Saturday July 9th

Day camp 8:30 am to 4:30 pm – Space is limited!

Camp location is at our GermanSchool campus:
1931 West Coast Highway, Newport Beach CA 92663

Inquiries: Please email the school’s director, Frau Schoeneich at  principal@GERMANSCHOOLcampus.com or call 949-285-0829

Check out our STEM Summer Camp 2016 – Flyer – here

STEM-Summer-Day-Camp-2016

 

Mountain View (NorCal)- GISSV MOUNTAIN VIEW

SUMMER IMMERSION CAMP 2016  – language classes, art, music, science, sports, cooking and more! For Grades 1-8.

Various Dates : June 20 – July 15, 2016

The GISSV Saturday School is excited to once again offer a German Immersion Summer Camp. We offer children a unique opportunity to spend their summer having fun learning/improving their German language skills in a stimulating, creative atmosphere!

Check out their flyer:

German Camp GISSV

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Title Image: ©German Pacific School San Diego

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Easter Party and Easter Egg Hunt in SoCal

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Easterbasket-Pixabay

Easter Egg Hunt in Irvine This Weekend

GermanSchoolCampus and Ute’s Kinderschule invite to an Easter Egg Party with an Easter Egg Hunt on March 19th, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Wintermist Park in Irvine, CA.

If you would like to join the happy crowd, please RSVP Ursula.Schoeneich@GermanSchoolcampus.com !

The organizers would appreciate if you could bring a little something to eat and share with everyone. Also, please bring a dozen filled plastic eggs (don‛t let the children see it!) for our egg hunt.

“We will meet at Wintermist Park (2 blocks up the loop), where we have the Easter Egg Hunt, enjoy the yummy food and friends, and play some games.”

Egg Hunt will start at 10:15 a.m.

For more information please send an email to  Ursula.Schoeneich@GermanSchoolcampus.com

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Image: Pixabay.com, edited by CaliforniaGermans.com

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Carnival Party at GermanSchoolCampus in Newport Beach

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Karneval Photo_Fotor

It’s Faschingzeit! At least in Germany the ‘Narrenzeit’ (Time of the Fools) has already started quite a while ago, on November 11 at 11:11 am to be precise. But German Karneval peaks especially in the week before Ash Wednesday and on “Rosenmontag” (Rose Monday) and “Faschingsdienstag” (Shrove Tuesday) one can witness crazy parades especially around the Rhineland but also in other cities throughout Germany.

To get a glimpse into German Karneval festivities GermanSchoolCampus is inviting to a Karneval Party for children at their school in Newport Beach, CA, on February 6th from 4pm-6pm. Children are encouraged to come in costumes. Get ready for a fun afternoon of dances like “Macarena, Fliegerlied , 99 Luftballons“, games and dances with balloons, can toss and of course, musical chairs.

Have fun and enjoy a traditional “Berliner” at the party! The “Berliner”, official Karneval’s food, is a kind of donut usually with an apricot jam filling in the middle. The “Berliner” known also as “Krapfen” in the South of Germany go also for “Puffel” in the area around Aachen. Either way they are a delicious treat to sweeten up the Faschings festivities and an absolute ‘must’ for all Karneval Pros!

WHAT: Karneval Party by GermanSchoolCampus & Ute’s KinderSchule

WHERE: GermanSchoolCampus at Youth Center Newport Sea Base at          1931 West Coast Hwy, Newport Beach, CA 92663

WHEN: Saturday, February 6th, 2016 – 4pm-6pm

Please RSVP, so that a “Berliner” will be waiting for you!                           GERMAN SCHOOL campus: (949) – 229 – 7389 – Email: principal@GERMANSCHOOLcampus.com

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Weihnachstfeiern für Gross & Klein in California – German Christmas Celebrations for Young & Old

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Should you long for some German Christmas spirit in California, here are some suggestions for some merry festivities where you can celebrate the German way, singing German Christmas carols, munching on ‘Lebkuchen’ while enjoying some ‘Glühwein’.

Souther California

Ute’s Kinderschule, Irvine, and GermanSchoolCampus in Newport Beach are inviting to a traditional German Christmas Party with a performance of both schools’ students. Santa will surprise the children as a special guest. If you would like to attend the festivity, please confirm by email! Please RSVP Ursula.Schoeneich@GermanSchoolcampus.com

When: Saturday DECEMBER 12th, from 4:00 pm to 6:00pm

Location: GERMAN SCHOOL campus
1931 West Coast Hwy, 92663 Newport Beach                                                                www.GermanSchoolCampus.com

Northern California

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Only for one day:  “German Holiday Market “Weihnachtsmarkt” in Downtown Mountain View!
Join the family fun at the Mountain View’s Civic Center Plaza, which will transform into a bustling holiday market, where various vendors will be offering traditional foods, holiday accessories, arts and crafts, decorations, and much more.

When: Saturday DECEMBER 12th, from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00p.m.

Location: Civic Center Plaza
500 Castro Street, Mountain View, CA 94043
Contact: GISSV Office 650-254-0748
e-mail: office@gissv.org
Website: www.gissv.org/GermanHolidayMarket
Host: German International School of Silicon Valley (GISSV)

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 “Festliche Weihnacht” beim OTV in Oakland
A traditional German Christmas concert with soloists, musicians, and sing-along, under the direction of Joy Soto. Good dinner and other refreshments available. Glühwein! After the concert, dancing to Bill Bly’s Combo

When: Saturday DECEMBER 19 . Doors open at 4:30 p.m. Concert at 6:00 p.m

Location: Bjornson Hall
2258 MacArthur Blvd
Oakland, CA 94602

Contact: Inge Junginger 510-836-7357
www.ugas-eb.org
Host: Oakland Turnverein Gemischter Chor

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Image: ©CaliforniaGermans

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Open House at New German Bilingual School for Children in San Francisco

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New German Bilingual Program for children in San Francisco

Do you live in San Francisco and would like your toddler to practice his/her German also in Kindergarten? AltSchool in San Francisco has started a German Bilingual program in collaboration with families from Kinderhaus, San Francisco’s only German preschool.

Kinderhaus’ families wanted a progressive, child-centered program, which also was rigorous in the German language. The launch of the inaugural German Bilingual program at AltSchool’s Dogpatch school has been a success. The program fosters a whole-child, personalized learning experience while developing proficiency in the German language. Class work is 50% in German and 50% in English, and educators inspire an appreciation of German culture, arts, and history through project-based learning.

The school is accepting applications for TK – 2nd grade from students who are strongly proficient in the German language. If you are interested in learning more about the program, please attend the AltSchool German Open House!

The Open House event will be led by German Bilingual program co-teacher and Head of School, Annette Bauer.

OPEN HOUSE EVENT Details including registration information:                                         Date: Monday, November 23, 2015

  Time: 10:30-11:30 am                                                                                           Location: AltSchool Dogpatch, 610 20th Street, San Francisco, 94107

You can Register for the Open House also online today!

Additional information on AltSchool German Bilingual Program

AltSchool’s German bilingual program is TK-2nd grade, with a minimum age of 4 years, 9 months at start date. Applications from children that are strongly proficient in German are welcomed. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.                                                     Monthly tuition is $2925 per month, with a 10-month minimum per year. This tuition covers all supplies and field trips and accounts for German curriculum and rich language instruction. The school offers up to $5,000 merit scholarships to students fluent in German, to encourage a rich language experience in the classroom.

 

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St. Martin's Day and Lantern Parades in CA

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Sankt Martin Edit

The legend of Saint Martin, Lantern Parades and where to celebrate it here in CA

The end of Halloween marks the start of the festive season here in the USA. In Germany however that important day heralding that winter and in fact Christmas season is almost here, is Saint Martin’s Day traditionally celebrated on November 11th, the day where the USA observes Veterans Day.

Saint Martin’s Day or Sankt Martins Tag is a day that children prepare for with eager anticipation. Already days before you can find children busy at Kindergarten, schools and at home handcrafting their personalized lantern for the ‘Sankt Martins Umzug’, a lantern parade, that usually starts when it is dark in late afternoon. Children then walk together with their lanterns around their neighborhoods and sing traditional songs like “Laterne, Laterne, Sonne, Mond und Sterne….”

Sankt Martin’s Legend

On Saint Martin’s Day we celebrate Martinus, a man, who around 334 A.D. was a soldier for the Roman Empire and on one freezing cold winter night on his way to the city encountered a poor beggar dressed only in rags. Out of pity with the poor man he halted his horse and since he had nothing else to give cut his warm, red soldier cloak in half to give one half to the freezing man. That night it is said that Jesus appeared in Martin’s dream letting him know that it was in fact him Martin had shared the cloak with. After that event Martin got baptized and later in life became bishop of  Tours. Legend has it that Saint Martin was reluctant to become bishop and hid in a stable filled with geese. Their cackling however gave away Saint Martin’s hiding place and he was discovered. For that reason the traditional food on Saint Martin’s Day is roasted goose!

Celebrating Saint Martin with a Lantern Parade in California

Irvine:

Ute’s KinderSchule in cooperation with GermanSchoolCampus has a lantern parade in Irvine on November 11, starting at 6pm. Location: 28 Silkgrass, Irvine, CA 92614  . Please confirm your participation by emailing either school: UtesKinderSchule@gmail.com or principal@germanschoolcampus.com               As a special treat, there will be ‘Weckmänner’ (a traditional pastry) for the children to eat after the event.  A dona􏰀tion of $10 to the schools would be appreciated.

Los Angeles: 

Tivoli Kindergarten LA has its traditional Lantern Parade on Tuesday, November 10th (!) starting the parade with self made lanterns at 5:30 pm. Meeting point is: Mar Vista Park (picnic tables close to playground), 11430 Woodbine Street, Los Angeles, CA 90066 . The parking lot is on Woodbine Street. For more information please contact: TivoliRainbowGarden@gmail.com

Menlo Park:

GAIS – German-American International School in Silicon Valley will hold its traditional lantern parade on Wednesday, November 11, 2015 at 6:00 p.m. The event will begin with a “Shadow Play” and the lighting of the lanterns, followed by a walk around the neighborhood. Refreshments and Weckmänner will be available for purchase after the walk. Location: 275 Elliott Drive, Menlo Park, CA, 94025 For more information call: 650-324-8617

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Image: Gebhard Fugel, German Painter 1863-1939)

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Enchanted Halloween Event at Tivoli Rainbow Garden Preschool, Los Angeles

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It has become tradition at Tivoli Rainbow Garden Preschool. As soon as it is fall and everyone is getting ready for Halloween the school starts preparing for their annual Enchanted Halloween, an event that celebrates this beautiful time of the year, autumn.

It’s an event meant to enchant and not to scare and therefore no scary costumes are allowed.

Please bring your family and friends and join the school for an evening of wonder with the Tivoli community. The children will be enchanted by a performance given by The Queen of Fairies in the Sparkling Garden of Lights. Please see the flyer for more details.

When: Saturday, October 24th at 6:30pm
Where: Tivol Rainbow Garden Preschool
Address: 3170 Stoner Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90066

Costumes are welcomed, no scary costumes allowed. Please RSVP to ilkayan@aol.com by October 19th.
A suggested donation of $10 per family (this donation helps cover the cost of the performance, please note there is no food or drink served).

halloweenflyer_community_2015_web

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Images : Tivoli Rainbow Garden Preschool

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