Montera students braved the rain to attend the Annual Montclair Village Holiday Stroll on Thursday night, taking in the festive lights while supporting the Montera band’s performance.
The school band performed four songs in front of an enthusiastic crowd of friends and passersby alike, making sure to stay away from the rain and under a tent.
7th grader Kylie Kim said she enjoyed the event’s music and food.
“I came to support my friend, Darlene [who plays in the band],” said Kim.
The Oakland Fire Department was a sponsor of the event, and every year they hold a Random Acts Toy Drive and allow locals to explore a parade fire truck during the stroll.
“The citizens seem to like it,” a firefighter mentioned. “Children seem to gravitate towards the fire engine…”
The stroll was organized by the Montclair Village Association. Winter Williams, the lead event organizer of the stroll, said the stroll’s goal was to put Montclair on the map.
“Its mission, first and foremost, is to help businesses be successful,” said Williams. “Montclair Village is a district that a lot of people, even if they’re from Oakland, don’t necessarily know about or go to.”