Around Town (12/05/14)

Christmas parade

The Atwater Christmas parade, held by the Atwater Chamber of Commerce, starts at 7 p.m. tonight, according to the chamber’s website. The parade route is longer than in previous years. It begins at Foster’s Freeze, 1401 N. Winton Way, and continues to the Bloss Mansion, 1020 Cedar Ave., where Santa will be waiting. For more information, call the chamber at (209) 358-4251.

Lighted trees, parade

The city of Livingston will hold “A Lighted Christmas Tree Forest” on the former Court Theater property in downtown Livingston, where an unveiling is planned for 6 p.m. tonight. The display will be open daily from 5 to 9 p.m. through Christmas Eve. Planned at 6:30 p.m. tonight at Main and D streets are Christmas carols, with the parade set for 7:30 p.m. as it heads from Memorial Park to D Street. For more information, call the city’s recreation department at (209) 394-8830.

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. today 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.

Parade, run, crafts

The Active 20-30 Club is holding Merced’s annual Christmas parade, a holiday run and a craft fair. The craft fair begins at 8 a.m. Saturday near Canal and Main streets. The club plans for craft and food vendors in that area from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and local performers in front of Bob Hart Square every hour. The Jingle Bell Run and races begin in the 500 block of West Main Street after 11 a.m. For details and to register for the race, go to www.mercedjinglebellrun.com. The parade kicks off at 3 p.m. on West Main Street, and the tree will be lighted afterward in Bob Hart Square. More performances and singing are planned after the tree is lighted.

‘A Christmas Carol’

The Mitchell Senior Drama Department will present its first production of the year, Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,” in the school’s cafeteria at 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, parade

The 13th Annual Atwater Kops and Firefighters for Kids Toy Drive and Parade is scheduled for 10 a.m. to noon 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 4, 2014 at 4:33 PM with the headline "Around Town (12/05/14)."