Holiday cheer was evident in merry measure during Saturday evening’s annual Ceres Christmas Festival at the Ceres Community Center preceding thousands who turned out for the opening of Christmas Tree Lane.
Countless families with wide-eyed children flocked to the festival for crafts, hot cocoa and cookies and pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus. The city of Ceres Recreation Department put on the festival, attended by throngs waiting in line to pose for pictures with Santa Claus, who had a strong resemblance to newly elected Councilman Daniel Martinez. Mrs. Claus – played by Councilwoman Rosalinda Vierra – had them smiling as she handed out candy canes.
The festival closed down at 6 p.m., sending many over to Henry Avenue and Vaughn Street, known as Christmas Tree Lane in December, a tradition of lights and yard displays that started in December 1961.
A large crowd enjoyed a parade that went up the lane at 7 p.m. Dignitaries and others rode aboard an authentic 1907 San Francisco trolley car owned by Shane Parson.
“It was a great turnout, a huge turnout for the parade which I thought was terrific to see,” said Bob Kachel, a member of the Ceres Planning Commission who rode on the trolley. “I was shocked to see how many people were out there. It was really wonderful to see.”
Among those strolling the lane – closed off for the night to vehicular traffic – were Anthony and Cece Miranda with their two children in tow. As a 1957 recording of Elvis Presley’s “Here Comes Santa Claus” played from one of the yards, the couple recounted how attending the opening night is a tradition they’ve enjoyed for years.
Anthony grew up on Caswell and has been familiar with the Ceres tradition.
The couple reported that their favorite yard is the 1993 “The Nightmare Before Christmas” movie theme. Ian and Cindy Campbell decorated their Vaughn Street yard after the popular Tim Burton movie because it’s among their favorite holiday movies.
The couple has been in the house since 2018 and it was once occupied by Ian’s grandparents, Herb and Betty Campbell who once participated in Christmas Tree Lane but has since passed away. Louis Campbell rents the house to his son and daughter-in-law.
“It takes roughly a day to decorate the house and yard,” reported Ian Campbell.
“We just love it because we hear all the compliments about the house and hear all the kids excited, even the adults, too,” said wife Cindy Campbell.
Initially the couple experienced problems with potential Grinches looking to steal Christmas and children walking into the decorated yard, potentially tripping over wires and cords, so they put up a temporary wire fence.
With each year, Christmas Tree Lane has progressively spilled into the adjoining neighborhoods on Caswell Avenue and Leslie Lane. A giant blow-up Santa towering over 30 feet over the intersection of Sixth Street and Caswell Avenue was standing in the yard of the Facey family. The item was purchased in 2022 off Amazon.
“My wife Tammy loves it,” said John Facey who has lived in the house for 28 years and who Facey admitted however that he is less than enthusiastic about the physical aspects to readying the yard and home with decorations. “The kids all come over on Saturday and everybody jumped in to decorate it. It takes a couple of day. Everybody’s got their certain jobs.”
Across the street one yard yielded the vending of popcorn, which the city has prohibited this year. After complaints of residents who don’t want to see the lights and decoration lend itself to a commercial atmosphere on the celebrated streets, the city set aside an area of Smyrna Park for up to 10 vendors to sell food and things like glow-in-the-dark products. That didn’t stop one gentleman who was selling balloons that lit up and given a fine.
Christmas Tree Lane is something that can be enjoyed every night either by car or walking, right up until Christmas day.
The Christmas spirit continues with the Ceres Police Officers Association’s Christmas Toy Drive through Dec. 15. Officers are asking the public to participate in making a needy child’s Christmas experience memorable by donating new and unwrapped toys. Collection barrels are in place at the Ceres Police Department headquarters, 2727 Third Street, and at various businesses if the public wishes to donate new unwrapped toys. Barrels are also located at Sam’s Café, 3052 Fifth Street; Mr. Taquito, 1240 E Whitmore Ave.; Jenny’s, 1450 E. Hatch Road; Ace Hardware, 2531 E. Whitmore Avenue; and both Dollar General stores in Ceres.
