Helped by pleasant weather and boosted by larger-than-usual
crowds, the 19th annual Lights On Celebration was a success
Saturday and kicked off the holiday shopping season on the right
note for downtown merchants.
HOLLISTER
Helped by pleasant weather and boosted by larger-than-usual crowds, the 19th annual Lights On Celebration was a success Saturday and kicked off the holiday shopping season on the right note for downtown merchants.
With the down economy and plenty of inexpensive options during the four-hour event, it was a quintessential family atmosphere. This year in particular, though, there were more float entries – 64 – and more activities and entertainment offerings than ever before.
“We were very pleased because the entries were outstanding,” said Geri Johnson, Hollister city clerk and chairwoman of the Lights On Celebration.
Johnson noted how the Hollister Downtown Association’s goal is to “not have a really long parade so people can go into the merchants and see what’s available.”
Gaining attention for the downtown merchants, after all, is the overriding intention of the traditional event, which always falls on the first Saturday after Thanksgiving. Again this year, there was a “Merchants’ Open House” to get customers noticing what local shops have to offer.
This year’s theme was “Candy Cane Lane,” and that was evident in the many floats in the 5:30 p.m. parade that followed the topic.
For the full story see the Free Lance on Tuesday. Below are a list of winners from the Lights On festifities:
Parade
Best of Parade: A&N Plumbing
Lighting: Ace Hardware
Theme: Intero
Community Group: Nan Pipestem Wildlife Rehabilitation
Best Drill: Hollister Martial Arts
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Window Decorating
Theme: Serene Home
Display Window: Drapoel-Teezerz
Window: Edward Jones
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Dec-A-TreeÂ
First: Native Daughters of the Golden West
Second: Zandra Kelley
Third: Sunnyslope School Student Council
Honorable Mention: South Bay Blue Stars Moms
Honorable Mention: YMCA of San Benito County
Honorable Mention: Juli Veira
