Celebrating Christmas goodwill and joy in Merced County

The Christmas season is over, and residents today will begin the process of placing shiny ornaments back in their boxes, removing the lights from the eaves and packing the glittery decorations away until next year.

Reflecting on the Christmas season in Merced County, however, residents had much to be celebrate and smile about. Lively parades happened in every corner of the county, from Merced to Dos Palos. And this year Livingston residents held their first Lighted Christmas Tree Forest event, which drew a large number of spectators.

Outside of the vibrant celebrations, however, Merced County residents continued to be particularly generous in their giving to the less fortunate. Case in point: This year’s Operation Holiday Toy Drive Campaign, a combined effort by the Merced County Sheriff’s Department, Human Services Agency and several sponsors, raised toys for more than 2,000 children in need – a record number. Other campaigns in the county reported similar successes.

Here’s a look back at some of the highlights of the Christmas season in Merced County, as captured by Merced Sun-Star photographer Andy Kuhn.

This story was originally published December 25, 2014 at 6:27 PM with the headline "Celebrating Christmas goodwill and joy in Merced County."