The holiday season is in full swing, with Santa Claus due to make a stop in Farmington on Friday and in Escalon on Saturday.
In Farmington, it’s the annual Community Christmas Celebration hosted at the Farmington firehouse, corner of Highway 4 and Escalon-Bellota Road, set for Friday, Dec. 13. Community residents are invited to come to the firehouse for homemade treats, cider, punch, coffee, holiday music and visiting starting at 6:30 p.m.
At 7 p.m., a fire truck will arrive with a special guest on board, as Santa Claus takes time out to visit with local youngsters to hear their holiday wishes. Children receive a small toy and a candy cane and also can have their photo taken with Santa at the event, all provided free of charge thanks to many generous donations from the community.
On Saturday, it looks like the weather will cooperate for Escalon’s annual Christmas on Main festivities, which kick off at 3 p.m. with vendor booths open for business in Main Street park featuring food, beverages and a wide variety of crafts and merchandise to help with your holiday shopping. A ‘light’ parade is set for 5:30 p.m., entries must be equipped with some type of holiday lighting, and there will also be performances by singers and dancers throughout the day, along with fire pits for roasting marshmallows and making s’mores. Santa arrives in Escalon as part of the parade and then will visit with children on the Main Street Stage.
Escalon Chamber of Commerce is the primary sponsor of the event and all are welcome to join in the festivities. Applications for the parade are still available at the City of Escalon website or Oak Valley Community Bank. For more information, call coordinator Robert Swift at 595-5013.
For those in need in the area, there are a couple of holiday opportunities to give. The Escalon Ministerial Association is again accepting contributions to the Christmas Fund set up to help needy families in the community. Last year over $16,000 was raised for cash vouchers to give to those in need of purchasing groceries during the holidays so their family can enjoy a hot, healthy meal. Vouchers are given for local grocery stores and the amount of each voucher depends on the number of people in the family.
If you know someone that would benefit from the Christmas Fund, contact any Escalon church with that information. Individuals and businesses are also encouraged to send contributions for the fund to Escalon Ministerial Association, P.O. Box 1, Escalon, CA 95320.
Escalon Fire Department is also helping spearhead the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots effort, with barrels in multiple locations around the city. Collection sites are Big Boy Market, D’Boni’s Pizza, Mountain Mikes Pizza, The Learning Tree Preschool, Escalon Police Department, Escalon City Hall, Bank of the West and El Portal Middle School. Also, Vineyard Pharmacy, Main Street Market, Oak Valley Bank, BBVA Compass Bank, Ace Hardware, Escalon Fire Station #1, Pizza Plus, Escalon Christian Reformed Church, Escalon Covenant Church, Heck of a Deal and Escalon Premier Brands.
Donations of new, unwrapped toys are sought for all ages, with the giveaway day set for Saturday, Dec. 21 beginning at 10 a.m., at the Coley Avenue fire station.
