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Christmas Festival set for Saturday
Fun starts at 5:30 p.m. in park
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Kids may visit with Santa this Saturday at Smyrna Park like Brisceya Clark, 3, did last year. - photo by JEFF BENZIGER/ Courier file photo

The community is invited to join the city of Ceres for the 30th annual Christmas Festival and Grand Opening of Christmas Tree Lane on Saturday, Dec. 2.

This year's event will include a parade that features marching band students from Ceres schools.

The festivities begin in Smyrna Park at 5:30 p.m. with performances by local talent, and activities for children in the parking lot. Tickets will be sold for the different booths in Santa's Village, including pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus, face painting, cookies and cocoa, and crafts.

At the conclusion of the performance segment at 7 p.m., marching bands from Ceres and Central Valley high schools will lead the way through Christmas Tree Lane so the surrounding streets will be closed from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. to vehicular traffic.

Due to excessive crowding at prior years' events, there will be no wagon rides offered to the public this year. In order to experience the merriment and beauty of Christmas Tree Lane, citizens will have to enjoy it by foot.

Christmas Tree Lane has been a tradition in Ceres since December 1961 and is dependent on the participation of residents along Henry Avenue and Vaughn Street.

For additional information, call Traci Farris at 538-5682.