By VINCE REMBULAT
209 staff reporter
The holiday season is upon us.
Shopping centers and malls have already decked the halls – or the stores – with boughs of holly. In some cases, the Yule tide sprung not long after the back-to-school sales.
One of the longtime traditions in Stockton is the holiday festivities at Lincoln Center. That’s when the shops at 374 Lincoln Center sparkle with Christmas lights and decoration not to mention a flurry of activity including a visit from Santa Claus (he’s there on weekends and Christmas Eve) and free train rides for the children.
The holiday festivities kick off this weekend, concluding on Dec. 24.
For more information, log on www.lincolncentershops.com.
Other holiday season happenings in the area include:
Festival of Trees
Seventy beautifully decorated and unique Christmas trees will again be on display at the San Joaquin County Historical Society and Museum at Micke Grove Regional Park, 11793 N. Micke Grove Rd., on the weekend of Dec. 2 and 3.
This marks the Museum Docent Council’s 24th annual event. From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., docents will be dressed in vintage Victorian and pioneer-day clothes as dozen of festive trees adorn the seven exhibit buildings.
Special exhibits, entertainment, model trains and vintage craft demonstration will also mark the occasion.
For children, they can enjoy taking part in hands-on activities, from decorating cookies to making cornhusk dolls and dipping candles. Santa will also pay a visit.
General admission tickets is $10 for adults and $1 for children age 7 and younger and may be purchased in advance at the museum (call 209.331.2055 or 209.953.3460) or at Music Box in Stockton and Lodi.
The $6 parking fee will waived with the purchase of a ticket.
For more information, log on to www.sanjoaquinhistory.org.
Pancake Breakfast with Santa
The Stockton Memorial Civic Auditorium at 525 N. Center St. welcomes youngsters and their families on Saturday, Dec. 5, from 9 a.m. to noon.
Cost is $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 3 through 12. Those age 2 and under get to eat for free.
Tickets must be purchased in advanced (by Dec. 4) and are available at the following places in town – Arnold Rue Community Center, Stribley Community Center, Van Buskirk Community Center and Cesar Chavez Central Library.
Besides the pancake breakfast, this event will also include cooking decorating and a visit from Santa and Frosty the Snowman.
For more information, call 209.937.8206.
“Kringle” free performance
Reach Worship Center at 1610 N. Sierra Nevada St. will be performing “Kringle – A Christmas Adventure” on Friday, Dec. 18.
This admission-free original family production will do two evening performances that day, 6:30 and 8 o’clock.
The play is about an Army general named Kris, the Conqueror. He’s fallen on hard times and is told in a dream to save the town of Kringle.
During his mission, Kris encounters obstacles, including dragons and monsters.
For more information, call 209.464.9842 or log on to www.reachworshipcenter.net.
Breakfast with Santa at Spanos
On Sunday, Dec, 20, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., the Reserve at Spanos Park will play host to a “Breakfast with Santa” event.
This festive meet and greet with Jolly O’ St. Nick will consist of pancakes, scrambled eggs, applewood smoked bacon, country potatoes, fresh seasonal fruit, water, orange juice and coffee.
Cost is $15 per person.
The Reserve at Spanos Park is located at 6301 W. Eight Mile Rd.
For more information, call 209.746.5328 or log on to www.reserveatspanospark.com
