Downtown Modesto full of Christmas cheer

Never mind “It’s beginning to look at lot like Christmas.” In Modesto, Christmas has landed smack dab in the middle of downtown.

The city kicked off its annual holiday festivities with a flurry of activities – and some flurries – Saturday. The full day of seasonal cheer included the Dickens Faire, Celebration of Lights parade, Christmas tree lighting and Rockin’ Holiday kickoff.

Modesto resident Adeline Casilla was at the Dickens Faire, a Victorian-themed craft fair and farmers market, and said she planned to stay downtown for the day.

“It gets you into the Christmas spirit,” she said while browsing the booths. “Then we’re going to the ice skating rink to check it out. It’s good they keep adding things to do each year.”

The rink to which she was referring is the new Modesto On Ice outdoor rink that opened last month next to Modesto Centre Plaza. A steady crowd of people filled the ice Saturday, and longer lines began to form as the parade drew closer.

At the Dickens Faire, shoppers checked out various offerings and enjoyed holiday music from live bands including Modesto’s Funstrummers Ukulele Band. Costumed docents gave more than 2,000 tours of the McHenry Mansion, which is decked out in Christmas finery with garlands, ribbons, ornaments and more, inside and out.

“I think everyone likes to see it like this,” said McHenry Mansion curator Wayne Mathes. “The community and the docents look forward to it. It starts off the season – this and the parade.”

The annual Celebration of Lights parade featured a “Miracle on 10th Street” theme this year. People began putting their chairs out by 2 p.m. Saturday for the 5:30 start time. As it drew closer, more and more chairs began to line the streets as families arrived to enjoy the lighted parade as it circled the downtown area.

Following the parade was the community tree lighting and kickoff of Rockin’ Holiday, the retro-themed celebration set up at Tenth Street Plaza. The 1950s and ’60s rock-’n’-roll-era decorations included a free photo booth with Santa, live music and snow machines.

“Everyone comes out today and you get to meet all kinds of people,” said Modesto resident Mario Arreguin, who was manning the Edith’s Bakery booth at the Dickens Faire. “We see three times more people than we do at a regular market. And people dress up and are really in the spirit today. It’s great.”

The float results for the Celebration of Lights parade will be published in The Modesto Bee on Monday.

This story was originally published December 5, 2015 at 5:10 PM with the headline "Downtown Modesto full of Christmas cheer."