The train rides will be at the parking lot at Dixon Family Services and the old Bank of America Building. DDBA Courtesy photo

DIXON, CA (MPG) - Someone made some special wishes for a Merry Christmas in downtown Dixon and every one of them will be coming true – rain or shine – on Thursday, December 7, from 4 to 8 p.m. at the annual Tree Lighting Festival.

“For the rest of the season, the official Dixon Christmas Tree will be decorated and lit up and we want people to come out of their homes to see its beauty,” said Jill Orr, President of the Downtown Dixon Business Association.

The ‘permanent’ tree was purchased by DDBA with deep appreciation to long-time resident Barbara Bulkley, who was honored as last year’s Citizen of the Year. The grand lighting of the tree is scheduled for 7 p.m.

For the second time, the festivities will be from Pardi Plaza to the Dixon Women’s Improvement Club Park. On First and A Streets there will be stage performances beginning at 4 p.m. with the Dixon Community Theater. Then every half hour there will be students from the Valley of the Sacred Heart, Dixon Youth Football Cheerleaders, another performance by the theater group, Dixon Dance Studio, and lastly at 6:30 p.m. will be a Polynesian Christmas.

Inside Calvary Church, leaders will once again offer children’s Christmas craft activities.

At B and Second Streets, there will be train rides by the California Dream Express and an illuminated LED juggling show by Jerimiah Johnston. Inside the Dixon Public Library there will be story time at 5:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. All of these activities are free including the Petting Zoo and Pony Rides that will be in the Dixon Women’s Improvement Club Park where a photo booth will be set up by Grace Fellowship Church. There will also be a near life-size manger in the park as well.

Free pony rides will be offered again this year in the Dixon Women's Improvement Club Park next to the public library. Photo by Debra Dingman

Across the street and inside Ye Olde Vet’s Hall will be jolly ol’ Santa himself where children and families are welcome to share their secret wish list and take pictures. And, for those wanting to do some Christmas shopping, there will be a plethora of vendors offering their creations for sale from handcrafted towels, refrigerator magnets, and soap bombs to Dixon Historical Society hoodie sweatshirts, baseball hats, and ceramic mugs. This is usually where the Cub Scouts offer free popcorn, too, but if you want more, the Dixon Girls Softball organization will be selling pizza. Tips are welcome, of course.

 Cub Scouts from Den #253 will be in the Olde Vet's Hall giving out free popcorn at the annual Tree Lighting Festival December 7. but donations are welcome! Photo by Debra Dingman

Across the street, something new to the annual event will be tucked inside Linda Barrett-Leber’s Real Estate Office. It is called Christmas Tree Lane and will feature beautifully decorated trees that will be awarded to the highest bidder with monies raised going to John Knight Middle School Band Program. Mrs. Claus will be on hand to help any adult to make a private offer on any tree. Some of the students will be playing during the evening.

New decorations seen at Pardi Plaza. Photo by Jill Orr

The event is sponsored by the City of Dixon and Recology with special thanks to the Dixon Volunteer Firefighters Association, Cherie and Bud Fanning, Dixon’s Cub Scouts, and Greg and Jill Orr.

Jill noted that thanks to a successful Wine Stroll and Brewski Fest this year, the DDBA was able to purchase new pole flags this year to decorate alongside the candy cane decorations. With thanks to the City of Dixon work crews, they have also put up all the commercial-sized lit snowflakes that are now on lamp posts around downtown adding to the ambiance of our local, hometown Christmas joys. For information on DDBA, call (707) 678-8400 or see DowntownDixonCA.com.