The Lights On Celebration brought hundreds of San Benito residents and other visitors to town Saturday for a day of holiday fun. The activities began at 10 a.m., with a holiday boutique at the Veterans Memorial Building and entertainment in the 400 block of San Benito Street, labeled as the Northpole.
Residents also had a chance to visit a car show where admission was a donation of a toy or canned food for local nonprofits.
The highlight of the evening remained the Lights On Parade, which started at 5:30 p.m. The lights went on for the trees downtown as well as the Tree of Life, located in the Veterans Memorial Plaza. The Tree of Life is put up each year by Hospice Foundation, which uses the tree to raise money for end-of-life services in San Benito County.
More than 70 organizations participated in the parade, with some receiving honors for their efforts:
Best of Parade – Hollister Dual Language Academy
Best Use of Lighting – Alves Collision Center
Best Community Group – Agricultural History Project
Best Use of Theme – SBHS Scarlet Regiment Band
Best Drill, Dance or Baton Group – West Coast Dance and Music FX
