The community is invited to join the city of Ceres for the 29th annual Christmas Festival and Grand Opening of Christmas Tree Lane on Saturday, Dec. 3.

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, free photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, Christmas crafts, refreshments, and face painting in Santa's Village.

At the conclusion of the performance segment at 7:15 p.m., marching bands from Ceres and Central Valley high schools will lead the way to the entrance of Christmas Tree Lane for the ribbon cutting ceremony.

There will be trolley and tram rides up and down Christmas Tree Lane until 9 p.m.

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.