Hollister residents will officially turn on the holidays this
Saturday as the 15th annual Lights On Celebration and parade graces
downtown with a host of illuminated floats and a bundle of
Christmas cheer.
Hollister – Hollister residents will officially turn on the holidays this Saturday as the 15th annual Lights On Celebration and parade graces downtown with a host of illuminated floats and a bundle of Christmas cheer.
The parade, which was formed in 1990 to bring the community together to collectively kick off the holiday season and bring some much needed business to downtown in the process, will showcase people from all facets of the community, according to Brenda Weatherly, executive director of the Hollister Downtown Association. School kids, government officials, members of community organizations and Santa Clause himself will sit atop handmade floats, trucks and tractors blanketed in lights – all making their way down San Benito Street this Saturday.
And if a parade just isn’t enough, Weatherly said several dance teams will put on live performances, 10 Christmas characters dressed in costume will perform in the streets and the Hillside Christian Fellowship Church will put on a caroling show. But the real purpose of the event is help downtown businesses, according to Lights On Celebration committee member Geri Johnson.
“Merchants are always hit up for so many donations, so we decided to do something to bring people downtown,” she said. “It’s to highlight the local merchants and have something for the community.”
At least 5,000 people packed downtown last year to revel in the festivities, and Johnson said they’re hoping for even more Saturday.
Although the downtown businesses have chipped in the past two years to provide a shopping spree for one lucky resident, this year they pooled their money to pay for a television commercial in the hopes of increasing participation, according to San Benito County Chamber of Commerce director Liz Sparling. However, many stores will have individual specials in the hopes of drawing people into their stores to shell out some cash, Sparling said.
But the main focus behind the many lights, tasty food, and unique shopping is community togetherness.
“It’s definitely a community event and it brings a lot of awareness to downtown businesses,” Sparling said.
Weatherly suggested revelers arrive around 4:30pm to get a good seat and watch as the downtown lights are turned on collectively around 5pm, which kicks off the parade.
Erin Musgrave covers public safety for the Free Lance. Reach her at 637-5566 or
em*******@fr***********.com
.
