It’s almost time for the 54th Annual Christmas Parade and Craft Fair, coming up on Saturday, Dec. 9 in the City of Riverbank.

The Craft Fair is scheduled to run from 10 am. to 2 p.m., with the evening ‘Fair and Festivities’ from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., including the holiday parade at 5:30 p.m.

At the recent Riverbank City Council meeting, officials shed a little light on the different schedule for the Christmas celebration coming up here. Notice had been given of the Dec. 9 festivities on social media, but had listed two separate sessions for the Christmas Craft Fair. In the past, it had been a single daylong event, starting in the morning and concluding after the annual holiday parade had finished in the evening.

In discussions at the Nov. 14 City Council meeting, it was noted that the first session, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., will be held in the Riverbank Community Center, but the later session, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., will be held, as usual, in front of City Hall North, right across from Plaza del Rio Park. It will continue after the evening parade, Christmas Tree lighting in the park, and the visit from Santa.

It is being billed as a “Country Christmas in downtown Riverbank” and will be staged on Santa Fe between Third and Seventh streets on Dec. 9.

The parade will begin at the corner of Sixth and Santa Fe Street. Typically, entries in the parade range from lit-up cars, motorcycles, floats, marching bands, horses, and more.

For parade information and vendor registration, call the city’s Parks and Recreation Department at 209-863-7150. Awards will be given out by the judges at the Tree Lighting ceremony for the most beautiful and creative groups. Santa will arrive for the tree lighting and pictures to round out the festive evening, helping get everyone into the holiday spirit.