Kick-off the 2025 holiday’s on Saturday, Dec. 6 with the annual Holiday Parade at 4:30 p.m. followed by a tree lighting ceremony. There will be an afternoon Sidewalk Sale, a Christmas Cookiefest complete with Santa and his helpers handing out early Christmas presents to all kids in attendance.
The Merchant’s SIDEWALK SALE will feature over a dozen vendors on the boardwalk of Historic Main St. from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Jams, jewelry, pottery, and crochet wraps are just some of the items on display.
The very popular tamales cart will be back this year. Both the Cafe and the Deli will have holiday goodies as well, and the museum’s gift shop will be open that afternoon with a number of lovely old-fashioned gift items.
Christmas Parade at 4:30
Rev. Jerry Johnson of It’s A NEW DAY Recovery Home, this year’s Christmas Parade Grand Marshall, will ride down Main St. NEW DAY is Mariposa County’s only in-house drug and alcohol rehabilitation clinic. NEW DAY is an active part of our community serving our area’s senior citizens, the disabled, veterans, food and firewood distribution services. Joining Jerry will be a number of other colorful characters and a few floats as well as Santa Clause and his entourage in a big red fire engine!.
I you would like to get duded up in holiday garb…or better yet…belong to an organization that would like to … Come add to the holiday spirit.
After Santa and his entourage alight from their various chariots, they will help light up the Coulterville Christmas Tree.
The fun then moves on over to the Gazzolo Building. Santa, as well as Mrs. Claus, and a number of elves will greet everyone, with all kids up to the age of 17 receiving a gift. There will be homemade Christmas cookies, along with hot beverages the CCC is providing inside for all to enjoy.
All local bakers are encouraged to bring a tray of their favorite Christmas Cookies to share. They can be dropped off any time that afternoon or bring them with you. If you want to bake some cookies, participate in the parade or just want some information, contact Shirley or Nina. Remember, participation in the parade or as a sidewalk vendor is free.
International Interest
This year, as last year, there will be a small contingent all the way from the Vietnamese Embassy reporting on the Coulterville Christmas celebration, a traditional American small town holiday event. Trung Pham (Vietnam Television International) and his family, including a daughter in the 11th grade and a 10-year-old son (road with Santa in the Fire Truck), will be visiting James and Nina Rhodes that day.
Pham is a reporter based in Washington, D.C., recently transferred to the Vietnamese Consulate in San Francisco. Nina and Jim worked with President To Lam when they were assigned to the American Embassy in Hanoi during the Obama administration (at that time To Lam was not president but has always been a strong supporter of American interests in the South East Asia region). This is an unofficial visit, but the Rhodes hope that the title, “Friendliest Town in America” rings true and our foreign visitors enjoy a fun taste of Americana.
So come on over to Coulterville for an afternoon and evening of fun and an early jolt of holiday spirit. Make some memories with fellow members of our community. The members of the CCC hope to see you there and wish everyone Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year.