By Vista Chamber of Commerce
Kickstart your season this year by attending Vista’s 65th Annual Christmas Parade! Mark your calendars for Saturday, December 2nd from 1 to 3pm. The theme is “Viva Vista” in honor of the Chamber’s 100th Anniversary.
The parade will start at the Wave Waterpark on Main Street, make a couple of turns downtown, and end at Santa Fe and Pala Vista.
Event organizers selected long-time Chamber member and business owner Danny Villasenor of Peppertree Frosty as this year’s Grand Marshall. “I was moved to tears when they told me,” says Danny. “It’s such an honor for me and my entire family.” Danny says that it’s really his parents, Chuy and Velia who deserve the honor after working so hard since purchasing the business in 1959. ” Unfortunately, my father has passed and mom is now 93, but I will definitely represent the family, which includes three sisters, nephews and nieces along with my sons and wife Linda who have all worked at Peppertree for decades,” he explains. “Linda is a big reason our business is still thriving so many years later.” Peppertree Frosty officially opened in 1953 and is celebrating its 70th anniversary in Vista!
Danny is also passionate about the Vista Boys & Girls Club. He serves on its board and is a past president. “I like to dedicate a lot of my time and energy to the Club because I really believe in it. I was one of the very first members when we used to meet at an old fire station,” he says. “Anything I can do to help; I will do it. I believe the kids are our future and it’s important that we all do what we can so they can be successful in life.” Danny is also the 2023 recipient of the Vista Education Foundation’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
Another big personality that you’ll see at the tail-end of the parade riding atop an antique fire truck is Danny’s lifelong friend, JC Wynne, Vista’s official Santa Claus. JC has been carrying out this volunteer role for the Chamber for more than 20 years. With his authentic white beard and booming voice, JC inspires children young and old. He and his number one elf, his nine-year-old gradson Sawyer, do their best to keep the spirit of Santa alive and strong. “I love what I do and I’ll keep doing it as long as I’m having fun,” he says.
JC continues, “Danny and I support each other in everything we do and part of that is giving back to the community. Earlier this year, when Danny won the Champions of Youth Awards from the Boys & Girls Club, I couldn’t be there, so I had a full-size photo of me at the event that read, ‘We love you, Danny!’ It was awesome!”
JC says his philosophy is that a good society is judged on how well it takes care of its children and the elderly. Children need love, guidance and direction and our seniors deserve respect and care,” he explains. JC is an honorary member of the Pride of Vista Lions Club. Along with his efforts with the parade, JC provides up to five certificates good for a “Personal Visit with Santa” each year to nonprofits like the Boys & Girls Club and Operation HOPE. They use them as raffle items at their annual fundraisers. The lucky winners get to have Santa come to their homes on Christmas Eve to hand out presents to their children.
During Covid, JC also knew he had to do something special for the children of Vista so they knew Santa hadn’t forgotten them. A GoFundMe account raised $2K so JC could sit inside a giant snow globe in the parking lot of Peppertree Frosty. It was the perfect solution during the lockdown as kids could come by and wave or just talk to him safely through the plastic. It’s just another example of how Danny and JC show their ongoing love and dedication for the community of Vista.
Don’t miss this wonderful family event!
ALSO – If you have ever worked at Peppertree Frosty during its lifetime until now, please come out and support Danny Villasenor.
For more information about the parade, visit the Vista Chamber website. www.vistachamber.org
