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    Fred Tempas,of Arcata, organized and directed the 28th annual TubaChristmas performance in front of a crowd of 100 or more at the Gazebo in Old Town Eureka on Saturday, Dec. 3.
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    Santa showed up with his usual supply of peppermint candy canes.
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    Fred Tempas, of Arcata, was inspired to begin a TubaChristmas event locally in 1988 after playing in a Christmas tuba event in San Jose the year prior.
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    The all-brass “tuba” performers under Tempas’ direction play several varieties of tuba and euphonium instruments.
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    Jude Carter, 6, of Eureka, played in his fourth TubaChristmas performance, along with his father and grandmother.
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    “I can’t believe it’s been 28 years since we started,” said Joan Tempas, of Arcata, one of the approximately 30 musicians in the TubaChristmas performance.
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    The brass instrument we all recognize as a tuba was played by Audrey McCombs (left), Charles Hollowell, Gary Rogers and Gordon Johnson in the Tuba Christmas performance.
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    Audrey McCombs (left), Charles Hollowell, Gary Rogers and Gordon Johnson playing their tubas.
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    Members of the brass “tuba” family came in all shapes and sizes.
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    A small brass horn on the hat of one musician.
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    Jude Carter, 6, of Eureka, shared a laugh with his grandmother, Joyce Carter, of Eureka, during a break.