Turlock lights up for holidays
Turlock kicked off its community holiday celebrations with the 15th annual Festival of Lights on Friday. The Main Street event included craft and food vendors, seasonal entertainment, children’s activities and a visit from Santa. It culminated with the lighting of the community Christmas tree. Next Friday, the city continues it celebrations with the 36th annual Turlock Downtown Christmas Parade, to the theme “A Box Office Christmas.”
Saturday, a number of other communities also will celebrate the season. Gustine hosts its Downtown Christmas; Riverbank celebrates with its Christmas Parade and Festival; Hughson holds its Christmas Festival; it’s Santa Day in Denair; and Angels Camp runs its first lighted Christmas parade. Also, Cowboy Christmas in Oakdale and the Sonora Christmas Festival continue Saturday. Here’s a bit more on each:
▪ Oakdale – The Oakdale Cowboy Museum celebrates its 22nd annual Cowboy Christmas Gift and Craft Show. It kicked off Friday with the arrival of Cowboy Santa on horseback and continues from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Gene Bianchi Community Center, 110 S. Second Ave. (209) 847-5163.
▪ Riverbank – The city of Riverbank’s community Christmas festival features a craft fair, lighted parade and tree-lighting ceremony, along with visits with Santa. The craft fair starts at noon Saturday, the parade at 5:30 p.m. It’s happening downtown, in the area of Santa Fe and Third.
▪ Sonora – The Christmas Festival features craft artists, three stages with live entertainment, street performers, food and drink. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Mother Lode Fairgrounds, 220 Southgate Drive. Admission is $7 adults, $5 seniors and students, $2 children ages 6 to 12. (209) 533-3473.
▪ Gustine – The Downtown Christmas includes a Breakfast With Santa, firetruck rides, craft fair, Santa’s Workshop, Christmas tree lighting and, at 5:30 p.m., lighted parade. For more, go to www.facebook.com/gustinecofc.
▪ Angels Camp – Christmas of Angels Open House and annual Parade of Lights will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday, featuring Christmas carolers and a wine stroll. It’s happening downtown and is free. (209) 736-1333.
▪ Denair – Santa Day features photos with the jolly old elf, as well as horse-drawn wagon rides. Donations of canned food and/or new toys are accepted. The free event runs Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Road Dog parking lot, 4600 Main St. (541) 941-5408.
This story was originally published November 28, 2014 at 6:34 PM with the headline "Turlock lights up for holidays."