A quick check of calendars for the tri-city region of Oakdale, Riverbank and Escalon shows plenty of holiday-themed events over the next couple of weeks.
Here are a few of the activities planned.
OAKDALE
Join the fun and do some shopping at the annual downtown Old Fashioned Christmas celebration in Oakdale, planned on Friday, Dec. 4 from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Third Avenue, with live music, food booths, Santa Claus, a petting zoo, wagon rides and bounce houses. Cost is $1 or one canned food item per person with proceeds to benefit the local community. Merchants will be open late and this will be a great time to do some holiday shopping.
The Oakdale Garden Club, in cooperation with the City of Oakdale, will sponsor the annual Festival of Trees in Wood Park downtown, with the Mayor’s tree, and the sponsored trees, lighted in a ceremony scheduled for Friday, Dec. 4 at 7 p.m. The parade of trees decorated by local businesses, community groups, non-profits, families and individuals, delights visitors and those just passing through. A large candy cane, with the sponsor’s name, accompanies each decorated tree. Proceeds benefit scholarships for Oakdale High School seniors. The Oakdale Garden Club will provide free cookies and cider for all to enjoy. There will also be music to get everyone in the mood for the holiday season.
Oak Valley Hospital will have its Lights of Love ceremony on Tuesday, Dec. 8, starting at 5:30 p.m. Join in with the Oak Valley Hospital District Volunteers for the ceremony, when the tree at the hospital will be lit with the special lights and placing of ornaments, dedicated in honor of loved ones. Special entertainment by the Oakdale High School Choir. There will be free pictures with Santa and refreshments, including hot chocolate, apple cider and cookies.
RIVERBANK
A Christmas Light Show has kicked off and will continue through Dec. 25. Thirteen thousand lights and seven videos will be set to music and featured at 5831 Lipizzan Court, Riverbank. The show will be featured each night from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Riverbank High School on Claus Road will be the site for a Holiday Craft Fair on Saturday, Dec. 5 from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. Hosted by the Riverbank Music Department Boosters, this craft fair will be filled with fun, festivities and prize drawings at 10 a.m., noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. as well as carnival games and a tamale or taco dinner for a small fee of $5. Be entertained by the Riverbank Band, Choir and Winter Guard as you shop for jewelry, clothing, décor, health and beauty items, cookware, essential oils, baked goods, handcrafted items and much more. Guests can even get their picture taken with Santa.
The Riverbank Federated Women’s Club annual holiday table decorating luncheon is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 5 at 11 a.m. at the Riverbank Community Center, 3600 Santa Fe. The table decorating luncheon raises money for local charities and scholarships for high school students by having individuals host a table at the luncheon, many of whom also invited friends to participate by decorating and hosting a table.
ESCALON
Children of all ages are invited to the Escalon Library for a couple of fun holiday programs in December. Tony Borders returns with Frosty’s Magic Hat Show on Friday, Dec. 4 at 3:30 p.m. Also back by popular demand, the San Joaquin Bellringers, who will perform in concert on Saturday, Dec. 12 at 10 a.m. Both shows are free to the public.
Christmas in Grandpa’s Barn returns to Lorina’s Edible Garden on Enterprise Road in Escalon, with festivities on Fridays, Dec. 4 and 11; Saturdays, Dec. 5 and 12; Sundays, Dec. 6 and 13. Friday and Saturday hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday hours are noon to 4 p.m. There will be vendors, wagon rides, campfires, holiday snacks, and the chance to enjoy holiday shopping in a unique setting. Santa Claus has even scheduled a visit for Saturday, Dec. 5 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. to hear holiday wishes.
Saturday, Dec. 5 the P&L Concrete and Garden Center on Roosevelt Avenue will host a holiday workshop from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., including hot drinks, goodies, workshops on making table centerpieces and terrarium miniatures ornaments. Call to reserve your spot at the workshops, 209-838-1448.
Escalon Chamber of Commerce will present its annual Christmas on Main event on Saturday, Dec. 12. There will be vendor booths open from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., a Parade of Lights (with holiday lights on entries) stepping off at 5:30 p.m. and a variety of entertainment throughout the festivities. There will also be fire pits for making s’mores, wagon rides, visits with Santa Claus, crafts and more. Rain date is Sunday, Dec. 13.
To submit information about an upcoming holiday event, email mjackson@oakdaleleader.com.
