After a one-year hiatus due to rainy weather in 2012, the Christmas on Main celebration returned to Escalon on Saturday, Dec. 14.
The crowd came out, the holiday light parade featured plenty of colorful and well-lit entries and Santa Claus made an appearance, taking time out from his busy schedule to visit with children on the Main Street stage following the parade.
Kicked off at mid-afternoon Saturday with vendors and entertainment throughout the park, festivities continued with the early evening parade, then the visits with Santa and making of s’mores at the fire pits brought in for the event.
Escalon Animal Shelter had a few animals for an adoption opportunity, local musicians and performers took the stage to entertain and vendors offered up food, beverages and plenty of merchandise for holiday shopping. The Escalon Relay For Life group had a booth, as did Escalon High’s Travel Club, offering poinsettias for sale.
“We have some new vendors and the weather was good,” said Chamber of Commerce President Pat Brown, noting that the celebration was a success.
City councilman and local business owner Robert Swift, who served as emcee for the parade, agreed that it went well, especially after having to cancel last year.
“It was nice to see it back, families are here enjoying themselves with their kids, we had some great musicals acts, a lot of people here supporting the chamber,” he said.
He also noted that many parade entries were much more colorful this year, well-decorated with the holiday light theme. Winners were the El Portal Band, PetCo and Powerhouse Dance.
Several businesses helped contribute to the success of the event, he said, with corporate sponsorship from Premier Brands and Oak Valley Bank, shining star sponsors BBVA Compass Bank and Prudential Real Estate, along with many other businesses, service clubs and individuals.
“What a nice event,” Swift said. “It’s a good time.”