“This year’s theme is ‘Peace, Love and Hope,’” said Ron Estabillo, president of the Guadalupe Kiwanis Club. “We’ve been doing this since 2004 and there’s always a lot of excitement and enthusiasm.”
The event kicks off at 4 p.m. with the Christmas Festival, which features food booths, on-stage music and dance performances, and a raffle benefitting children-in-need with new bicycles and other gifts. At 6 p.m. the Christmas Parade runs the route from 5th Street to 10th Street as onlookers enjoy floats, bands, auto club entries and even Santa atop a fire truck with candy canes in hand.
At the parade’s end, Guadalupe Mayor Lupe Alvarez will light the city Christmas tree and officially launch the holiday season.
“It’s always a good time and the toy drive raffle is particularly a fine cause,” Estabillo said.
Members of the public interested in hosting a festival booth or taking part in the parade may contact Shirley Cisneros at (805) 868-2077.
