Santa is coming to downtown Saturday.

He’s bringing up the rear of the 51st annual Manteca Twilight Christmas parade aboard  Manteca Fire engine.

Kitty Walker of the Manteca Veterans of Foreign Wars will serve as the grand marshal for the parade that starts at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 2.

This year’s theme is Winter Wonderland.

The parade route is down Yosemite Avenue from Library Park to Garfield Avenue at Manteca High.

It is one of two Manteca Chamber of Commerce holiday events on Saturday.

The other is the holiday fair Christmas in the Park is Saturday, Dec. 2, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The free event includes food trucks, kiddie rides, children’s activities, entertainment, craft and gift vendors, as well as photos with Santa.

44rd Annual Holiday

Affair set for Dec. 13

Soroptimist International of Manteca invites you to the 44rd annual Holiday Affair.

Thes annual event is at the Bank of Stockton on Wednesday, Dec. 13, from 6 to 7:30 p.m.  

The $100 ticket admits 2 guests for an elegant evening of cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and a chance to win fun baskets and cash prizes.

Proceeded benefit the service club’s’ community efforts including funding of teen crisis counseling services for Manteca Unified School District students.

\Come and enjoy one of Manteca’s premier holiday parties. If interested, contact Tedra Torrice 209-679-6074 or you can stop by Tipton’s Stationery and Gifts at 169 W. Yosemite Avenue in Manteca to purchase the hottest holiday ticket in town. 

Hospice Tree of Light

Doctors Hospital of Manteca will host the annual Hospice of San Joaquin Tree of Lights Ceremony on Thursday, Nov. 30, starting at 5:30 p.m.

Community members recognize those who have impacted their lives via memorial or honorary light dedication.

Donations also support Hospice of San Joaquin’s programs for terminally ill patients and their families.

For more information, call Hospice of San Joaquin at 209.957.3888 or go to www.hospicesj.org

“Visit with Santa’

toy drive Dec. 9

The Manteca Educators Association is hoping to make Christmas brighter for foster kids that may go without gifts this year due to family financial situations.

At the same time, they want to spread holiday cheer.

It is why they are staging a Visit with Santa toy drive on Saturday, Dec. 9, from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. in the McFall Room of the Manteca Library, 320 West Center Street.

Bring your own camera to get photos with Santa.

At the same time they are hoping you will consider bringing a new toy to benefit foster youth though Foster Love 209.