The holiday season has arrived.
Kicking off the Yuletide is this weekend’s Small Business Saturday.
“Shop small, shop local, shop early,” said the Ripon Chamber of Commerce via social media.
This also applies to Manteca and Lathrop.
Small Business Saturday is to encourage the community to support local businesses and by making a difference.
The Chamber noted that consumers who shop at the local shops are not just making a purchase but are investing in their community.
Ripon, Manteca tree lightings
Ripon will also celebrate its tree-lighting ceremony on Monday beginning at 6 p.m. at the Veterans Memorial Wall along South Locust Avenue and West First Street.
The 11th annual event invites the community – in particular, families with members who have passed away of cancer or carry on the fight as survivors – to sponsor a loved one via the Hospice of San Joaquin’s Memory Board and to celebrate the holidays.
Ditto that for Manteca, where the annual event is celebrating its landmark 30th year at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 30, in front of Doctors Hospital of Manteca, on the corner of East North Street and Cottage Avenue.
Each of the LED lights on the large evergreen tree in front of DHM will represent a loved one. The Hospice’s Memory Board will also be featured.
Manteca parade, park event Dec. 2
The two largest Manteca community Christmas celebrations are once again being staged by the Manteca Chamber of Commerce.
*The holiday fair Christmas in the Park is Saturday, Dec. 2, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
*The 51st annual downtown Twilight Holiday Parade in Saturday, Dec. 2, at 5 p.m.
The deadline for parade entries is at 5 p.m. today.
The parade route is down Yosemite Avenue from Library Park to Garfield Avenue at Manteca High
The Manteca Chamber of Commerce holiday fair dubbed “Christmas in the Park” returns Dec. 2 to the downtown Library Park after taking place several years at the Promenade Shops at Orchard Valley.
The free event includes food trucks,, kiddie rides, children’s activities, entertainment, craft and gift vendors, as well as photos with Santa.
Vendor spaces for chamber members are $100 for commercial ($150 for non-chamber), $75 for homemade crafts ($100 for non-chamber), and $50 for non-profit. ($75 for non-chamber).
For more details call (209) 823-6121, log on to https://manteca.org/, or email taylor@manteca.org for more details.
Christmas at the Center.
The City of Manteca’s annual Christmas at the Center will take place on Thursday, Dec. 7., from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
This promises to be an evening full of fun and holiday cheer.
Added the Manteca Recreation & Community Services on its Facebook page: “Arrive at 5:30 p.m. to witness the Tree Lighting Ceremony and hang an ornament on the tree.”
This is in reference to the tree in front of the Civic Center, 1001 W. Center St.
The evening will include a candy crawl, photos with Santa, food trucks & vendors, selfie stations, and snacks along with craft items.
