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Community Kicks Off Holiday Season Saturday
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Forecasters right now are calling for clear skies on Saturday, though temperatures will struggle to reach the 60s and drop down into the upper 30s on Saturday night.

The chill in the air – and hopefully the lack of any rain – should set the stage for a festive Christmas on Main celebration in Escalon, as community residents gather to usher in the holiday season.

Vendors will be on hand at the city’s Main Street Park starting at midafternoon on Dec. 3 and the event showpiece will be the Holiday Light Parade, stepping off at 5:30 p.m.

Throughout the day there will also be a variety of entertainment presented, food and beverage booths, crafts for the kids and some unique holiday shopping opportunities.

Helping coordinate the festivities is Robert Swift, who said they hope to host a cross section of vendors and are encouraging local businesses to put an entry in the parade as well.

School and community groups have traditionally taken part, but this year Swift said they also want to see more business people represented.

“We really want to encourage our local businesses to get involved in the parade; you just need to light up your entry,” Swift noted.

The lighting can be as simple as a flashlight or glowing red noses, to strings of Christmas lights or other illumination.

Fire pits will be set up in the park for attendees to keep warm and roast s’mores and the festivities start with the vendor booths opening at 3 p.m. Saturday.

Also a special feature of the day, ‘giving trees’ will be set up near the caboose in the park and those attending can purchase low-cost decorated ornaments to place on the tree. When decorated, the trees will be given to local families in need, helping provide a special Christmas tree for their home.

The entertainment line up on the Main Street Stage for the day is listed as follows: Ballet Folklorico, 3 p.m.; Grace Resendes and MacKenzie Schrotenboer flute duet, 3:45 p.m.; Escalon High School Band, 4:15 p.m.; local singer LilLana Cajias, 4:45 p.m. and 7 p.m.

The Parade of Lights is scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m., with Santa due to arrive at the end of the parade, about 6 p.m., to meet and greet local youngsters and hear their holiday wishes.

Coordinators Swift, Debbie Murken and Deverie Voral have issued the invitation to all residents to attend, noting this will be a perfect time to do some holiday shopping among unique vendors, enjoy sounds of the season, roast marshmallows to share s’mores and start the season off with family and friends.

For more information, contact Swift at 595-5013, Voral at 988-8030 or Murken at 402-0505.