Winter Fantasy Highlights

The following is a list of special events for the 19th Annual Winter Fantasy Sawdust Festival, which opens Saturday and will run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends through Dec. 13.

Tree lighting: The Festival will kick off with Community Night at 6 p.m. Saturday with a Tree Lighting Ceremony and a speech by Mayor Kelly Boyd. Special guests and community performers including the Laguna Community Concert Band, Sasha Evans, Rene’s Marionettes, Laguna Presbyterian Church hand-bell group, Top of the World honors chorus, Balloon Diva and Santa will help celebrate the event. Laguna Beach residents receive free admission with ID after 3 p.m.

Toys for Tots Drive: The Toys for Tots drive, sponsored by the Marine Corps Reserve, will be open Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Nov. 27, 28 and 29, and will collect toy donations for newborns to 17-year-olds. Marines will also meet and greet visitors and on Festival grounds. Admission is free for every new unwrapped toy.

Puppy Adoption: A puppy adoption with Pet Project Foundation and local animal shelters will be Dec. 5, 6, 12 and 13.

Food Drive: A canned food drive for the Laguna Resource Center will collect non-perishable food items like cans of tuna, rice and pasta Dec. 6 and 13.

For a complete list of classes, workshops and entertainment, visit www.sawdustartfestival.org.