The weekend saw Riverbank residents flocking to the downtown area to begin their celebration of the Christmas season with a day of holiday-related events, as part of the 54th Annual Riverbank Country Christmas Celebration.

Split Christmas Crafts Faires

This year, the traditional craft faire was divided into two parts, an indoor session and one held outdoors.

Possibly a reaction to the rain that dampened festivities last year, the morning session was held inside, at the Riverbank Community Center, across Santa Fe Street from Cardozo Middle School, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Parks and Recreation officials noted they had 24 vendor booths open there, and had room for a couple more.

Officials then started closing off parking on the parade route and at the downtown faire location on Third Street, between City Hall North and Plaza del Rio Park. That location opened at 3 p.m. and continued through the evening. Vendors there included a taco truck as well as other crafts and food booths. They were open until 7 p.m., including during the parade and tree lighting.

Annual Parade

Once it started getting dark, entrants in the annual parade began staging in the area of Cardozo and the Community Center, preparing for the evening’s activities.

As the sky darkened, the town got a visit from Stanislaus Sheriff’s Air One helicopter crew, which buzzed the parade route on Santa Fe Street, west to east, then looping around and criss-crossing, on Third, with lights and sirens going. Not long after, at 5:30 p.m., the parade got underway, heading from the school toward downtown.

The parade route began near Cardozo, coming west on Santa Fe, then turning on Second Street and turning east on Stanislaus to return to its origin.

Leading off was a color guard unit of cubs and scouts from Pack 10 and Troop 1100 in Riverbank. The parade also included motorized units, mounted groups, marching bands and flag teams, including politicians and student/parent organizations as well as classic car owners.

State Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil represents Riverbank in District 4, and stood on the back of a truck, waving to audience members, through the route of the parade. Mayor Richard O’Brien and other council members either rode or walked the parade, with council member Leanne Jones-Cruz the only one being unable to participate.

One of the requirements of the night time parade was that all participants be equipped with some type of lighting, so onlookers could see them in the dark.

As usual, bringing up the rear of the event was Stanislaus Consolidated Fire District Engine 26, with that man from the north, and his wife, Santa and Mrs. Claus, aboard the engine.

Announced afterward, the trophy winners were:

·         First Place Overall — Muir Trail Unit Girl Scouts

·         First Place Band — Cardozo Middle School Band and Guard

·         First Place Mounted — Merced County Sheriff’s Posse

Tree Lighting

Once getting off the fire engine, Santa and Mrs. Claus returned to the Plaza del Rio Park area to conduct the Christmas Tree Lighting there. With a brief countdown, the jolly old elf cast his pixie dust and the tall tree burst with illumination.

After the illumination, the couple took up a station in front of the tree, allowing for youngsters and families to take photos with them.

That’s A Wrap

The evening closed out with the vendors packing up at 7 p.m., wrapping up the holiday celebration in downtown Riverbank.