Clear skies and cool temperatures set the stage for a successful Christmas on Main celebration in downtown Escalon; the festivities hosted in and around the Main Street Park area on Saturday, Dec. 7.
There was no shortage of activities, from the time the Escalon Senior Fun Bunch singers took to the stage for a few tunes to the holiday light parade, food and merchandise booths open for business, and the guests of honor, Santa and Mrs. Claus, taking time to visit with youngsters.
Escalon Chamber of Commerce put on the event, which got underway at mid-afternoon Saturday and continued through the early evening. The centerpiece was the holiday light parade, which this year featured a couple dozen festive and unique entries and saw one of the largest crowds in recent memory turn out to enjoy it.
Local churches, community service organizations, the EHS marching band, classic cars and more were included, and the Bracco family once again spent the year collecting stuffed animals – some 450 of them this year – to distribute to children as they drove along the parade route.
Chosen as Grand Marshal was Megan McNinch, who helps coordinate several Chamber of Commerce event throughout the year.
Fellow Chamber member Jessica Wylie praised the work of McNinch and said the honor was well deserved.
“Megan is so amazing, she’s our Farmers Market manager, we decided that she puts in so much work that we were happy for her to be our Grand Marshal so we’re super excited about it,” Wylie said. “She actually went through the parade twice, she actually really enjoyed it; she was the Grand Marshal and then she got on Cromwell and Ney’s truck and went through again, so she had a great time, I think it was amazing for her and we’re so proud of her.”
Wylie also said the Chamber of Commerce ‘Giving Trees’ program was a huge success, allowing the organization to provide a special holiday package for 10 families in the Escalon Unified School District, two each from Dent, Farmington and Collegeville elementary schools, El Portal Middle School and Escalon High School.
“We’re doing a Christmas tree, decorations, a $100 gift card and they get Christmas Eve dinner … they’re so appreciative and we’re so happy that we’re able to do that,” Wylie said of helping local families in need.
Donations of raffle baskets, with tickets sold at $5 each or five for $20, helped raise the funds to put on the Giving Trees program.
“All the baskets are donated by local businesses, 27 baskets this year,” Wylie said. “We had a great, great turnout and we’re very thankful, it has been amazing.”
Along with the festive light parade, entertainment on the stage included performances by the Powerhouse Dance studio, school musical groups and headliner Kaylee Wilson taking the stage after the parade to close out the evening. The fire pits were set up for roasting marshmallows to make s’mores and several area businesses and crafts people had booths to showcase their wares, perfect timing for holiday gift purchases.
Plus, there was a long line, but kids waiting patiently for a visit with the man in red.
Mom Gabriela Farias was happy that her three children got to visit Santa, adding that the family had a great time at Christmas on Main.
“It’s beautiful, they have had so much fun, the parade was great, there were so many different styles, it was great,” Farias said.
