‘Tis the season, as they say, and this weekend, it gets serious here in Riverbank.
Friday and Saturday will be the official kick off to the Christmas season, with a number city of activities designed for local families to attend and enjoy.
The biggest draw is expected to be the Christmas Parade, scheduled to start at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 14, in downtown Riverbank.
It usually is organized by the Community Center, then travels west on Santa Fe Street toward City Hall. It passes past Plaza del Rio Park, then turns on Second Street for the return up Stanislaus and back to the Community Center, essentially making a big downtown loop.
Of course, the Stanislaus Consolidated Fire Protection District engine that brings up the end of the parade features a very special passenger, ol’ Saint Nick himself, Santa Claus. And after the parade, Santa usually returns to the Plaza del Rio park area to help light the city’s official Christmas tree there.
After the tree lighting ceremony, Santa takes a little extra time, sticking around for a while to take photos with youngsters in the crowd.
Christmas Craft Faire
Before the parade and the tree lighting, the Craft Faire is scheduled to run from 11 a.m. until after the parade steps off in the late afternoon.
The various vendor booths typically line Third Street, along City Hall North and the Police Services Office. Lots of food booths and crafts vendors can be found there.
Movie Night
Ahead of the Crafts Faire and Parade Night, there’s a seasonal movie scheduled for Friday, Dec. 13.
The holiday-themed film, Polar Express, will be playing at the First United Pentecostal Church, at 3208 Stanislaus St., Riverbank. The doors will open at 6 p.m., with admission $5 per person, and $20 for a family of five.
For more information on the Movie Night, contact Kelly at 209-424-4775.
Looking Ahead
And while this weekend’s festivities will definitely have a Christmas theme, it serves as a reminder that the New Year is also fast approaching.
To that end, residents in the city are being offered a unique – though possibly quite chilly – way to welcome in 2025.
Riverbank’s Parks and Recreation Department has scheduled a new event to help residents celebrate the New Year. It’s set for Wednesday, Jan. 1, when there will be a ‘Polar Bear Plunge’ hosted at the city swimming pool. The pool is at 6601 Seventh St., downtown, and those wishing to take the ‘plunge’ can stop by anytime during the scheduled swimming hours, noon to 2 p.m., on New Year’s Day.
