A holiday tradition
Hometown Christmas comes to Corning
It is definitely beginning to look a lot like Christmas in the Olive City as the Chamber of Commerce puts on the final touches for Saturday's Hometown Christmas event.
Decorated trees and banners line the main street of town and several businesses have put up their holiday lights in anticipation of crowds coming to see Santa, eat holiday food, shop the many craft and goods booths, take a carriage ride, and enjoy the Parade of Lights.
An extra-special treat this year will be a visit from Calfire Forester Adam Deem, of Redding, who saved the life of "Li'l Smokey" a bear cub he rescued during a wildfire in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest in June 2008.
Deem will be the grand marshal of the Parade of Lights and will be at the Corning Senior Center food booth at the Veterans Memorial Hall from noon to 4 p.m. to visit and sign his book, "Saving Li'l Smokey, A True Story".
"Hometown Christmas is Corning's way of starting off the holiday season," said Valanne Cardenas, Chamber of Commerce manager. "This year's parade theme is 'Dreaming of a Lighted Christmas in Candy Land, and will surely meet all your expectations."
The parade will travel from Third Street to Toomes Avenue and viewers should be sure and get a seat early along Solano Street as it fills up quickly.
Hometown Christmas has become very popular in the area as it is the first holiday festival of the season in the North State.
The 14th annual Hometown Christmas schedule of events:
• 7 to 11 a.m.- Pancake Breakfast - Knights of Columbus, Veterans Memorial Hall, 1620 Solano St.
• 9 a.m. - Downtown Merchants Open
• 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. - Craft & Food Booths Open Downtown Solano Street and Veterans Memorial Hall
• 11 a.m. - Activities Downtown Kid Games, Jumps for Joy, Live Nativity, Cookie Walk, Pony Rides
• 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. - Art Exhibit - PremierWest Bank
• noon to 4 p.m. - Carriage Rides - Free
• 1 p.m. - Santa Arrives on Fire Truck
• 2 to 3:30 p.m. - Pictures with Santa at Chamber office 1110 Solano Street
• 5:30 p.m. - Parade of Lights- Sponsored by Corning Rotary Club
