Louisa prepares for holiday season with parade, festival

“We will follow that same plan and still put on a first-class event”.

When: Friday, Dec. 2 from 5:30 p.m. – 10 p.m.

The Mountain Melody Women’s Chorus of Calaveras County presents its first “Winter’s Child” concert at 4 p.m. Saturday at the Black Bart Playhouse, 508 S. Algiers St., Murphys. There will also be a free crafts and games area on the lawn beginning at 5:30 p.m. He and Mrs. Claus will visit with all the youngsters in the Santa House located across the street from the former fire station. The parade will end at Rivergate Mall.

Times: 10 a.m. 5K Santa Run, 11:30 a.m. Santa’s Little Helper Wave 1 Mile (dog/owner), noon Santa’s Elves Wave 1 Mile (Kids), 12:30 p.m.

At the conclusion of the parade, the winning float entries will be announced at Gladewater Community Christmas Dinner at First Methodist United Church, Jeter Hall at 217 Quitman St., along with the winners of this year’s Gladewater Storefront Window Decorating Contest.

Saturday, the Santa Fe College Fine Arts Hall is host to Holiday at Santa Fe.

The 31st Annual “Christmas in the Park” celebration in downtown Henderson’s historic Central Park will officially open with a ceremony at 6 p.m. on Friday.

The Valley Springs Christmas Parade steps off on Daphne Street in the town at 10 a.m. Saturday.

– Holly Jolly Jubilee, Saturday, Dec. 3, 2:00 – 5:00 p.m.at the Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau parking lot, corner of West Ocean Avenue and South I Street. There will be holiday giveaways, an ugly holiday sweater contest and themed surprises. Proceeds from sales of gifts and food benefit Olga Reed Elementary School.

Ridgefield Hometown Celebration kicks of at 9 a.m. December 3 with an Ugly Sweater Fun Run with 5K and 10K routes, with $20 to $35 for registration. The parade can be viewed from Tidelands Park down to the Rock. The ceremony will include the arrival of Santa, choir performances and finally the official lighting of the Christmas tree by the Mayor and members of City Council.

All outdoor activities, including the Motorcycle Toy Run, the Huffines Auto Dealerships Christmas Parade, Santa Paws Village, the new Farmer’s Market, the showing of “Polar Express”, and Lewisville Lights! – the lighting of the tree in Wayne Ferguson Plaza, are cancelled. The doors open at 6 p.m. for premovie activities, with the film at 7 p.m. December 8 at the Kiggins Theatre, 1011 Main St., Vancouver. Last year Santa was working on an app that gave him a real-time update on the naughty and nice list, but, due to poor Wi-Fi connection, he was unable to access that technology. Tickets to the 8:30 a.m. breakfast are $20 for children and $25 for adults. “This way, our residents can enjoy our traditional tree lighting without the rain”. The parade route will begin on Lowry Street at Mayfield Drive.

– Santa’s House in Mission Plaza; Nov. 25 to December 24. The display will also be open to the public through December 23, from 5 to 8 p.m.