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Holiday happenings in Manteca, Lathrop and Ripon
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Selena Medeiros and Chelsea Medeiros along with their grandmother Letha Watson are shown having breakfast at the Breakfast with Santa and Mrs. Claus last year. Manteca Presbyterian Church’s annual Breakfast with Santa and Mrs. Claus is on Saturday, Dec. 5, from 8 to 11 a.m. at the church at North Street and North Main Street. Tickets are on sale at the door and are $5 for adults, $3 for children 6 and above, under 6 are free. - photo by Photo Contributed
Holiday parades in Manteca, Lathrop

Get ready for some Jingle Bell Rock, Manteca-style.

Jingle Bell Rock is the theme of the 27th annual Manteca Chamber of Commerce twilight holiday parade being staged Saturday, Dec. 5, starting at 5 p.m.

The parade marshal this year will be the South San Joaquin Irrigation District in recognition of the agency’s century of servcie to Manteca, Ripon, and Escalon.

The parade typically attracts 7,000 plus spectators along Yosemite Avenue between Library Park and Garfield Avenue by Manteca High.

You can obtain more information by calling 812-6121.

The City of Lathrop’s Festival of Lights Holiday Parade with the theme of “Lighting the Way with Hope” takes place on Saturday, Dec. 12.

The parade will start at 5 p.m. at J and Fifth streets, traveling south on Fifth to Mingo Lane.

For more information, call (209) 941-7370.

Pancakes, eggs & choir concerts

• BREAKFAST WITH SANTA: Manteca Presbyterian Church’s annual Breakfast with Santa and Mrs. Claus is on Saturday, Dec. 5, from 8 to 11 a.m.  at the church at North Street and North Main Street. Tickets are on sale at the door and are $5 for adults, $3 for children 6 and above, under 6 are free.

Photos can be taken with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Craft items are also available for sale.

• OMELET EGGSTRAVAGANZA: St. Vincent De Paul Society presents the Christmas Omelet Eggstravaganza, Sunday, Dec. 6, from 8 a.m. to noon at St. Anthony’s gymnasium. Tickets are $7 for adults, children 10 & under, $3.

During the past 12 months they have helped with food and clothing for 7,664 families, 15,513 adults and 14,529 children. For tickets call Terry Brown at 824-8144, Al DeGroot at 825-2800, or tickets can be purchased at the door.

• HANDEL’S MESSIAH PERFORMANCE: The Ripon Oratorio Society will be celebrating the Christmas season with the 64th presentation of Handel’s Messiah on Sunday, Dec. 6 at 3 p.m. at the Immanuel Christian Reformed Church, 4th & Orange Streets in Ripon.

Child care will be available during the performance on Dec. 6. An offering will be taken.

• COMMUNITY CHOIR CONCERT: The Manteca Community Choir is staging a Christmas at the Manteca Presbyterian Church on North and Main.  

The  “Christmas Fantasia” will be performed on Dec. 13 at 7 p.m. and is free to the public.  Contact Anne Talcott at 823-0054 for more information.

• SONDANCE BALLET: SONdance is once again preparing for its annual presentation of “A Christmas to Remember.”

The joyful celebration of timeless traditions, Christmas Carols and music of the season is beautifully portrayed through the art of dance takes place at the Place of Refuge, 486 Button Ave., on Friday, Dec. 11, at 7:30 p.m., and Saturday, Dec. 12, at 1 p.m.

This year SONdance will be partnering with Manna Ministries, to collect food for needy families throughout the Manteca area. Each guest is asked to bring dry or can food items to the performances which will then be picked up and distributed by Manna Ministries.

Tickets are $7 in advance or $8 at the door. Tickets can be purchased at SONdance, 612 Commerce Court. Manteca, or visit their Website at WWW.SONdance.org and click on performances.

For additional information call 209-823-1740.

• HOLIDAY AFFAIR: The biggest holiday party in Manteca is being planned by Manteca Soroptimists for their upcoming 30th Annual Holiday Affair.

Not only does the $75 ticket for the holder and a guest get a chance for cash gifts and a mountain of prizes, but it allows them to enjoy a complimentary cocktail and hors d’ oeuvres reception at the Bank of Stockton, 660 N. Main Street on Wednesday, Dec. 16, from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

The Holiday Affair has been a sell-out virtually every year. All proceeds go to the Soroptimists’ Community Service Fund.

Projects benefiting include Raymus House events, Haven of Peace, Boys & Girls Club, Hospice of San Joaquin, Sober Grads at all local high schools, Give Every Child A Chance, South County Women’s Center, San Joaquin Women’s Center, Manteca Mural Society, Manteca Historical Society, Friends of the Library, Women’s Opportunity Award, Women of Distinction Award, Women Helping Women Award, San Joaquin Historical Society, $6,000 yearly scholarships to high school seniors, the Manteca Unified School District’s Teen Crisis Center and many more community projects.

The Teen Crisis Center is the club’s signature project. The club has donated over $250,000 over the past 20 years to help the Manteca Unified School District provide counseling services for teens at all schools in the Manteca Unified District. School officials have credited the teen crisis counselors for substantially reducing the potential for young people to make decisions that could result in negative consequences on their academic performance, future career paths or even their health.

Tickets to the Holiday Affair are available at Tipton’s Stationery & Gifts, 169 W. Yosemite, 823-7644. You may also call Soroptimist members, Judy Vasquez, 823-6644, Julie Azevedo, 239-1195 or any other Soroptimist member.