Festivities galore at Jingle Bell Run

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer

Your dressed-up pooch can join you in the Jingle Bell Run. Advertiser library photo Jingle Bell Run A benefit for Special Olympics Hawaii 6 p.m. Saturday from area near Municipal Building (South Beretania and Alapa'i Streets), finishing at Sister Roberta Derby Park (next to Honolulu Police Department For participants: $30 for those 13 and older, includes a T-shirt; $23 each for groups of four or more; $10 for youths 12 and younger; late entrants are cautioned that T-shirts may not be available For spectators: free Entry forms available at The Advertiser, 605 Kapi'olani Blvd.; or online.

The event, sponsored by The Advertiser to benefit Special Olympics Hawai'i, offers different strokes for different folks.

You can run, because it's an "easy" route along South Beretania, down Bishop onto King then back to Alapa'i Street. Most folks walk, because it's also a scenic route along the Honolulu City Lights corridor.

You can dress up, show off your costume savvy, and really get into the spirit of the season. Santa hats and antler headgear are common; shoes are readily laced with jingling bells, literally living out the theme of the run.

And Spot, your canine, can compete in a costume contest, too — the cuter or most spectacular, the better. (Pet owner must be Jingle Bell Run participant.) Some folks plan early and sew a whole ensemble for the family mutt.

Of course, if you don't run or walk or appear as a giant wrapped Christmas present, you can simply watch. Or cheer on family members or friends. The parade is one of the season's most festive, even if there are no rah-rah marching bands.

If you participate, there are incentives. Someone, for instance, will win a new Saturn Ion in a giveaway.

And there's also a post-run party, beginning at 7 p.m. at Sister Roberta Derby Park ('ewa side of the Honolulu Police Department ); bank on serenades, both Hawaiian and holiday, by Jordan Segundo, Tani Lynn, Dance Central, Imua & Friends and Weldon Kekauoha and Tapa Groove.

If you're going to be in the downtown area anyway, you might tack on a viewing of the holiday displays in the Honolulu Hale courtyard.

Weather willing, it's a casual walk that's easy to do, with many photo ops along the way. The trick is to go early, find a parking spot (many downtown lots offer special rates), and make it an evening.

You could even add a dinner option at a downtown restaurant — start your own holiday tradition.

Reach Wayne Harada at 525-8067, wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com or fax 525-8055.