It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Lathrop – or at least it will next week when the city lights its annual community Christmas tree.

According to the City of Lathrop, the event will take place on Thursday, Dec 8, at 6:30 p.m. at Manuel Valverde Park – located 15557 5th Street.

The event will include choral and dance performances, cookies and hot chocolate courtesy of Dutch Bros., and a special appearance from Santa Claus. The festivities will take place outdoors and all members of the public are encouraged to dress warmly for the cold winter weather and bring chairs if seating is required to participate in the fun.

After two years of events being tabled or cancelled because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the event is something that elected officials like Mayor Sonny Dhaliwal – who just secured his sixth term at the helm of the city – are very much looking forward to.

“I am so happy that things are getting better,” Dhaliwal said. “It is so nice to see families enjoying time with their friends and loved ones.”

While the event was initially supposed to be held on Thursday, Dec. 1 but was postponed because of weather, no rain is expected in the Central Valley after the current storm battering the state passes this weekend.

For additional information about upcoming events in the community please visit the City of Lathrop’s website at www.ci.lathrop.ca.us or visit the city’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/TheCityofLathrop. Additional information can also be found by contacting the Lathrop Parks and Recreation Department at 209.941.7372.

To contact Bulletin reporter Jason Campbell email jcampbell@mantecabulletin.com or call 209.249.3544.