Around Town (12/04/14)

Christmas parade

The 20th annual Downtown Dos Palos Christmas Parade is set to start at 6 p.m. today as it leaves D.E.S. Park and travels down Blossom Street to Center Avenue, turns left and ends at the Scout Hut on the corner of Center Avenue and Marguerite Street. Following the parade is the lighting of the Christmas tree by the mayor and a visit from Santa Claus. For more information, call organizers at (209) 704-1053 or Shelley Wright at (209) 509-6529.

Christmas tree lighting

The annual youth community Christmas tree lighting in Planada is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. today at Houlihan Park, near Sutter Street and East Stanford Avenue. The event is free.

Youth Council meeting

The Merced Youth Council will meet at 6 p.m. Friday to vote on applicants to fill three vacancies on the council. The vacancies are for one seat representing the north district and two unfilled seats in the central district. After the new members are elected, the Youth Council will discuss its goals and project ideas. The meeting will be in the Sam Pipes Room of City Hall, 678 W. 18th St.

Artisan Fair

The third annual Holiday Artisan Fair and Arbor Gallery’s Christmas Open House will fill the Merced Multicultural Arts Center with locally created items from 3 to 7 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday. Regional artisans in art and ag will be selling everything from handmade Santas and ornaments; to olive oil, dried fruit and nuts; to silk scarves, jewelry and holiday decor. The arts center is at 645 W. Main St.

‘The Nutcracker’

The Merced Academy of Dance will perform “The Nutcracker” at the Buhach Colony High School Theater on Friday and Sunday night at 8 p.m. A Sunday matinee performance will take place at 2 p.m. Tickets for the full-length classic ballet cost $18 for adults and $15 for children under 12 and senior citizens.

Holiday craft fair

Central Presbyterian Church will hold a craft fair from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at 1920 Canal St. Admission is free. Browse more than 35 vendors for unique gifts. The event will also include a homemade chili luncheon, raffle and free hot cider.

‘A Christmas Carol’

The Mitchell Senior Drama Department will present their first production of the year, Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,” in the school's cafeteria 7 p.m. Dec. 12 with doors opening at 6 p.m. More than 40 of the Atwater junior high’s seventh- and eighth-grade students will bring the classic holiday tale to life. Admission is free and refreshments will be sold before the show. For more information, call the school's office at (209) 357-6124.

Toy drive and parade

The 13th Annual Atwater Kops and Firefighters for Kids Toy Drive and Parade is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Dec. 13. The parade begins at the corner of Winton Way and Bellevue Road at Burger King in Atwater and travels to the Atwater City Hall. All groups are asked to bring toys for kids in need.

Blood drive

BloodSource Merced is hosting its 2014 Season of Giving drive until Dec. 31. Those who donate blood will receive a commemorative T-shirt and other items. Last year more than 900 people gave blood, helping to save more than 2,700 lives. The group hopes to collect more than 1,000 donations this month to help 3,000 local patients in need. BloodSouce is at 382 E. Yosemite Ave. in Merced and 1040 W. Monte Vista Ave. in Turlock. For more information, go to www.bloodsource.org or call (866) 822-5663 to schedule a donation appointment.

This story was originally published December 3, 2014 at 5:58 PM with the headline "Around Town (12/04/14)."