Manteca’s seasonal magic – the twilight Christmas parade – takes place on Saturday.

Upwards of 8,000 people turn out each year to line the five-block route on Yosemite Avenue between Library Park and Manteca High in downtown Manteca.

Grand marshal Joe Pellegrino – the man who gave Flags Over Manteca project its start – will lead the procession while Santa will bring up the rear in a “red sleigh” provided by the Manteca Fire Department.

In between will be 96 entries and at least eight marching bands for this year’s parade dubbed “Let it Snow.” The parade starts at 5 p.m. and is sponsored by the Manteca Chamber of Commerce.

Saturday is arguably the busiest day of the season in Manteca – at least for community-based events.

It starts with Pancake Breakfast with Santa and Mrs. Claus at the Manteca Presbyterian Church, North and Main streets, from 8 to 11 a.m.

Pictures with Santa are $5 apiece. Tickets for breakfast are $5 per adult and $3 for children.  Tickets are available at the door.

The Parent-Teacher Club of the Walter Woodward Elementary School will hold its 7th annual omelet breakfast fund-raiser to benefit their many programs and projects Saturday from 7 a.m. until noon in the school cafeteria.

Tickets at $5 each will be available at the door. In addition to the breakfast, there will be 10 vendor booths where guests will be able to browse or purchase items to jump start their Christmas shopping. . There will be a 50-50 drawing as well that morning, with 50 percent of the prize going to the winner and the other half to the PTC’s general fund.

 There will be a silent auction as well featuring themed baskets that each grade level had prepared.

The MRPS Holiday Boutique is today from 4 to 8 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Manteca-Ripon Pentecost Society Hall, 133 N. Grant St.

Holiday Boutique features 30 or so vendors. Included will be Scentsy Candles, Cookie Lee Jewelry, Pampered Chef, and Cutco Knife, to name a few.

Merrill Gardens at Manteca, 430 North Union Road, is hosting a holiday boutique on Saturday from noon to 4 p.m.

It will include Mary Kay products, Avon, Vintage Jewelry, Princess House Home Ware, Sengntay Wickless Candles,  Cookie Lee Jewelry, personalized purses, Christmas ornaments and decorations, gift baskets, house wares, designer handbags, boots, and more.

There will also be refreshments available.

The Christmas craft boutique and bake sale takes place Saturday from 8 a.m. until noon at Almond Valley Christian Reformed Church, corner of Second and Wilma, in Ripon.

There will be brunch served, handmade crafts, Christmas items, gifts, and baked goods. The day benefits Bethany Christian Services, an adoption and counseling agency.

Manteca High School Athletic Boosters will be selling Christmas trees in the Manteca High front parking lot on Saturday, Dec. 4, starting at 8 a.m.

All proceeds benefit the Manteca High athletic programs.

If you have any questions contact Athletic Director Dave Smith at 858-7340.

St. Vincent De Paul Society presents its annual Christmas omelet eggstravaganza on Sunday, Dec. 5, from 8 a.m. to noon at St. Anthony’s gymnasium.

The cost for adults is $7 while children (10 and under) are $3.

During the past ten months St. Vincent de Paul has assisted with food and clothing for 4,160 families, 8,006 adults, and 6,344 children. Due to the weak economy, they have had an increase from the previous year. All proceeds are used for the needy of our community.

For tickets call Cherie Weiland at 239-1431, Pete Padron at 482-7246, or tickets can be purchased at the door.

The Ripon Oratorio Society presentation of the “Messiah” at Immanuel Christian Reformed Church at Fourth and Orange streets takes place on Sunday at 3 p.m.

A freewill offering will be accepted afterwards.

The Manteca Historical Society’s annual open house takes place Sunday, Dec. 5, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the museum, 600 W. Yosemite Ave.

The day will feature finger foods, wines beverages, and holiday music. The event is open to members, prospective members, and the community.

There is also a gift shop for items that have a unique Manteca touch.

The Great Valley Winter Concert will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 7, at 7 p.m. in the Great Valley Gym.  It will feature choirs from grades 4-6 and 7/8, Beginning Band, Intermediate Band and 7th and 8th grade Band.  They are directed by Andrew Hildebrand.

The Sierra High Choir, under the direction of Daniel Talcott, will be performing on Tuesday, Dec. 7, in their cafeteria at 7 p.m.

Mossdale Elementary School, under the direction of Kathrine Puck and Mike Mulidor, will have a Winter Concert on Tuesday, Dec. 7, at 7 p.m. in the Mossdale Gym.  It will feature the Beginning Band as well as the Beginning Choir.

Shasta School will present their band and choir concert on Dec. 7, at 7 p.m. at the Shasta gym.  The choir is directed by Cindy Karim.  The 5th and 6th grade band is directed by Miss Ehlen.  The 7th and 8th grade band is conducted by Mr. Beattie.

The East Union High School Band and Jazz Band will be performing on Dec. 7 at 7 p.m. in the East Union cafeteria.  They are under the direction of Terry Silveira.

The Neil Hafley and McParland Elementary School Winter Concert with both the band and choir will be on Tuesday, Dec. 7, at Neil Hafley Elementary School. The concert will begin at 6:30 p.m.

The Weston Ranch High Choir Concert will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 7, at 6:30 p.m. in the school theatre. The choir will be directed by Jessica Claud.  No admission fee is required and is open to the public.

New Haven and Joshua Cowell will have a Winter Concert on Wednesday, Dec. 8, at 6:30 p.m. in the Manteca High Theatre. This performance will be conducted by Stephanie Rawls.

The Weston Ranch High Band, Jazz Band and Orchestra Winter Concert will be on Dec. 8, at 7 p.m. in the Weston Ranch theatre. Music groups performing are directed by Joe Barron. Admission is free.

The Sierra High Band concert will be Thursday, Dec. 9, at 7 p.m. in the cafeteria.  A baked-potato dinner will be served starting at 5 p.m. E-mail band director Rick Hammarstrom at rhammarstrom@musd.net for tickets.

Stella Brockman and Veritas Elementary Schools will present their Winter Choir Concert, directed by Terri Richichi, on Thursday, Dec. 9, at 6:30 p.m. in the Stella Brockman Gym. The choir consists of 4th-8th graders.

The George Komure Winter Concert will be held on Thursday, Dec. 9 at 6 p.m. in the gym.  It will feature the Advanced 7th-8th Grade Band and Violinists.  They are directed by Dana O’Dell.

Lathrop Elementary Winter Concert will be held on Thursday, Dec. 9, at 7 p.m. in the Lathrop Gymnasium.

Lincoln School, directed by Miss Ehlen, will present their Winter Choir Concert on Thursday, Dec. 9, at 7 p.m. in the Lincoln cafeteria. The choir features 4th, 5th and 6th grade students.

The biggest holiday party in Manteca is being planned by Manteca Soroptimists for their upcoming 31st 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 cocktails and hors d’ oeuvres reception at the Bank of Stockton, 660 N. Main Street on Wednesday, Dec, 8, 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 and Girls Club, Manteca Mural Society, Manteca Historical Society, Friends of the Library, Women’s Opportunity Award, Making a Difference for Women Award,  Treats for Our Troops, $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 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 at 823-6644, Julie Azevedo at 239-1195 or any other Soroptimist member.

Calvary Community Church at 815 W. Lathrop Road is staging their annual Christmas production

The musical is a perennial full-house. This year’s original production “Christmas Dreamin’ “ takes place on Friday and  Saturday Dec. 10 and 11 at 7 p.n., and Sunday, Dec. 12 at 2 p.m.

For more information call the church at 239-1345.

SONdance is staging “A Christmas to Remember” Dec. 10-11 at the Ripon Christian High Performing Arts Center, 425 N. Maple Ave., Ripon.

Performances are Friday, Dec. 10, at 7:30 p.m., and Saturday, Dec. 11, at 2 p.m.

Tickets are $8 in advance or $10 at the door.

For tickets or more information go to www.sondance.org or call 823-1740.