As the Escalon Chamber of Commerce disbands, the Escalon Lions Club is stepping up to take over some of the events that have been put on by the local chamber for years.

Officials with the chamber explained that, with a lack of people willing to take on board roles, there wasn’t much choice other than to start the process of disbanding the organization.

“I am really proud of everything we did as a chamber but just without the support of other local business people to be on the board, it was impossible to continue,” said longtime Vice President Jessica Wylie.

She said those that have been involved with the chamber are grateful for the willingness of the Lions Club to continue some of the most popular events.

“I just want to say thank you to the Lions Club for making sure that these events found a home and continue,” Wylie said.

Chamber board members included Pat Brown as president, Wylie as vice president, Anthony Diaz as secretary, Cecelia Nelson as treasurer, Megan McNinch as vendor ambassador, Miranda Powers as membership and events ambassador, Linda Gentry for public relations and Debbie Murken as liaison.

McNinch, meanwhile, has been accepted for membership into the Escalon Lions Club and is due to be installed in March. She will continue to serve as the Farmer’s Market Manager, working under the umbrella of the Lions Club, and other popular events including Harvest on Main and Christmas on Main are also slated to continue.

Lions Club First Vice President Jeff Miller said though the Lions already have plenty on their plate – including coordinating the annual Park Fete celebration and hosting their popular Autumn Cruise car show, among others – it was a club decision to extend the offer to work cooperatively with the chamber officials to take over some of the events.

“We didn’t want to see them go away,” Miller said, noting that the events are valuable for participating merchants, great for residents and also bring visitors in to the community. “The events we’re taking on are Farmer’s Market, Harvest on Main, Christmas on Main, and helping the city with the Hospice Tree Lighting.”

For her part, McNinch said she can step in to assist where needed, as she will be a Lions Club member soon.

“I told Jeff that I would help him with vendors for Park Fete and Christmas on Main,” McNinch said.

She also has already gotten vendor applications back for the 2026 Farmer’s Market season, with the first event scheduled for Wednesday, April 15. They will run the third Wednesday of each month, April through August.

“I needed a stable network behind me,” McNinch said of the Lions Club taking over as lead agency for the market.

She said she will be seeking outside sponsorships for the market this year and they also plan to expand the ‘Senior Bucks’ program for senior citizens, 55 and older, to get vouchers for use at produce, egg, milk, cheese and bread vendors on site during the market nights.

The Chamber of Commerce also was the main sponsor of Love Escalon and efforts are underway to find a new lead for that annual event, hosted at the end of April.