The City of Lathrop’s “Christmas in Paradise” will take place Saturday evening.

The annual Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting event starts at 5 o’clock on 5th Street.

Temporary road closures, effective from 4 to 9 p.m., will take place earlier in the day – traffic will be prohibited along the parade route on Thomsen Road (Manteca Unified Annex parking lot), J Street, and 5th Street.

This year’s sponsors are River Islands Development, LLC, and Phil Waterford’s Manteca Ford. They’re bringing in a tropical evening of Christmas cheer and island spirit.

The parade will once again consist of floats, balloons, marching bands, dance groups, and equestrian, beginning on Thomsen Road, heading east and on to 5th Street (north bound), and then turning west on to J Street while concluding at Grace Community Church parking lot at 850 J St.

The lighting of the tree, adjacent to the Lathrop Community Center parking lot on 5th Street, is scheduled to start after the parade.

In addition, the special event will feature parade entry awards, Christmas performances, cookies & cocoa, vendor fair, and photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

For more information, call 209.941.7372 or log on to www.ci.lathrop.ca.us/parksrec.

Ripon

Thursday, Dec. 11, is the annual Christmas Light Parade in Ripon.

The holiday event will begin at 6 p.m. – rain or shine – at Almond Valley CRC and proceed down Main Street through Historic Downtown, ending at Industrial Avenue.

The Ripon Christmas Light Parade is the collaborative efforts of the Ripon Consolidated Fire District, the Ripon Police Department, and the Ripon Chamber of Commerce.

Log on to www.riponchamber.org for more information.