Successful Holiday Boutique, pickleball court ribbon cutting, and fall festival!  

By Christianna Marks

ATASCADERO — A crowd gathered at the new Pickleball Courts in Atascadero on the morning of Saturday, Nov. 13, for a ribbon cutting ceremony. The courts are the newest addition to the Colony Park Community Center on Traffic Way. Atascadero Pickleball Club President Barbara Sims cut the ribbon.

To break in the four brand new pickleball courts, Sims and another member of the Atascadero Pickleball Club played the first game against Atascadero Mayor Heather Moreno and Atascadero City Counsel Member Charles Borbeau.

“This has been a long time in coming. About two and half years ago, Barbara [Sims] and some of you came to the council and said, ‘hey, we would like some dedicated pickleball courts,’ because at the time were the courts inside of a gymnasium, and then of course, out here [there are] the basketball courts. And so in 2019, December of that year, we set aside some space here,” Atascadero Mayor, Heather Moreno.

The building of the pickleball courts was held back due to COVID, but they’re finally here with the help of Atascadero City and the Atascadero Pickleball Club! The courts cost $250,000 in total, with the city providing $150,000 from Parkland Facilities Impact Fees, $60,000 from other sources, and the rest of the funding was all due to gifts and fundraising from the Pickleball Club.

Also held on Saturday, Nov. 13, was the 16th annual Holiday Boutique. The Boutique is held every year at the Atascadero Pavilion on the Lake and is something that locals look forward to annually. The event was hosted outside this year, and the turnout was the largest in The Boutique’s history.

“Due to COVID, we moved everything outside, and it’s been a success ever since. Most likely, we will keep it outside as it has given us the opportunity to allow for more space, vendors, more of a turnout, and everyone [is] able to shop amongst the beautiful Atascadero Lake Park,” said Deputy City Manager Terrie Banish.

Boasting over 50 vendors, most of which provide locally made goodies, the event was well attended. From 10 a.m. until 3 p.m., people shopped to their heart’s content, picking up early holidays gifts for their loved ones.

And earlier in the month, The City of Atascadero, along with the Atascadero student body, hosted a Fall Carnival on Thurs., Nov. 4, in “The Plaza.” The event was a carnival-themed fundraiser in support of the local student body and showed off the new outdoor area located between Highway 101 and El Camino Real.

Music was performed by the Atascadero High School Show and Advanced Choir, Atascadero Middle School Marching Band, and Atascadero High School Strings Orchestra. Motion Academy of Dance also performed. The festivities didn’t stop there. A smattering of carnival
booths, games, snacks, and a petting zoo hosted by the local FFA chapter were also available for attendees.

Fun food options were also at the Fall Carnival. The Sandwich Truck provided offerings from Colony Market and Deli, Paradise Shaved Ice, and Bramble Pie Company. There were also drinks for the adults from Bristol’s Cider House, Lone Madrone Winery, Tent City Brewing, along with coffee from Malibu Brew.

“The City worked closely with the School District on an event to showcase the area and all of the wonderful projects and entertainment that they have been working on. Overall, we had about 250 people in attendance, and it was nice to see everyone come together. It also made for a good opportunity for folks to see the area [The Plaza] and how it can be rented for an event or school rally,” said Deputy City Manager Terrie Banish.

The turnout made this new Fall Carnival a roaring success.