This Saturday, Nov. 30, the annual Christmas Craft Faire and Parade will hit the streets of downtown Riverbank as the community officially kicks off the holiday season.

The festivities will begin at noon with an array of craft booths for guests to peruse through in the hope of finding a unique gift for that special someone on the holiday shopping list. Horse drawn carriage rides through downtown will begin at 3:30 p.m. on Third Street and continue through 5:30 p.m., ending just in time for the parade to start. The downtown streets will be filled with music, twinkling holiday lights, a festive air, and the chance to connect with the community.

Following the parade there will be a tree lighting ceremony, participants in the parade will receive awards, and there will be a visit from a jolly, white bearded man in a red suit that will be available for taking pictures with youngsters attending the Nov. 30 event.

Officials with the city’s Development Services Department remind residents that Third Street will be closed between Topeka and Santa Fe streets from 10 a.m. until 9 p.m. to accommodate the booths set up for the Holiday Craft Faire. Also, multiple closures are planned to make way for the Holiday Parade. From 3 p.m. until 9 p.m. Saturday, the following street closures will be in effect: Santa Fe between Second and Seventh; Stanislaus Street between Second and Sixth streets; Second Street between Santa Fe and Stanislaus; and Sixth Street between Santa Fe and Stanislaus.

No parking signs will be posted in advance of the event and traffic control devices will be in place.

All are encouraged to join the fun and get in the Christmas spirit at the festivities in downtown Riverbank.