It’s Christmas in Manteca Sunday at the downtown museum, where memories of past happy yuletides will come flowing back for those who enjoyed the yesteryears putting logs on the fire with St. Nick peeking into the window with his sleigh and reindeer left on the roof.

Come and meet Santa from 1 to 4 p.m. and enjoy the museum’s holiday décor while enjoying light finger foods, hot chocolate, apple cider and soft drinks.  The event is free for all Museum members and the public as well at 600 West Yosemite Avenue. 

Every year the museum volunteers spend hours to decorate the historic building that once house a popular church that was a favorite with many Manteca families worshiping the birth of the Christ Child. 

For those who haven’t toured the museum before, it can be doubly exciting to see the many relics from old Manteca that were so very cherished by the children of years ago who are now in their later years.

The museum stage is always an important focal point in the Christmas season where the use of mannequins and animals bring the season to life for the visitors to enjoy. Those often forgotten Christmas scenarios go back to the horse and buggy days when families walked together hand in hand to one of few churches in the community to a few Dutch families who followed the tradition of leaving their wooden shoes on their front porches. 

A common gift for children back then was often just an orange they would find in their stocking hung by the fireplace with care. 

The museum is located at 600 West Yosemite Avenue. 

To contact Glenn Kahl, email gkahl@mantecabulletin.com.