Dec. 12, 2025, marks the 4th annual Winter Spectacular put on by Arroyo Grande High School. This event started and is put on annually by Leadership teacher Shannon Hurtado with the help of school clubs and her leadership classes. This event takes Hurtado around 4 weeks of planning to create a memorable, magical, and entertaining experience for all participants.
“We have to contact the clubs so that we know if they are going to participate. What they’re going to try to sell and how to budget,” Hurtado said.
The Winter Spectacular is an event put on by the high school that brings joy to the community. Families come from all over the county to embrace the holiday season. The fake snow and the games are enjoyed most by kids, and the joy brought to them is enough to keep families coming back each year. Callie Barker (‘27) has been in leadership for 3 years and helps with Winter Spectacular set-up.
“This is kind of our biggest event that reaches our community and kids. My favorite part of working [Winter Spectacular] is seeing all the little kids playing in the snow and talking to Santa,” Barker said.
All clubs that volunteered have to set up and plan what they are going to promote, sell and say to everyone who stops by. Along with club booths, there are a lot of games to be enjoyed, craft stations, photo ops, fire pits, food, and even Santa and the Grinch.
The Winter Spectacular had an impressive turnout once again, and while clubs now plan and prepare for the next, children from all around the community wait for their next snow day.
