By JASON CAMPBELL  

209 staff reporter

MODESTO – It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

If you’re a Central Valley resident there are plenty of things for you do during the Christmas season that brings the spirit of the holidays – peace, love, joy, family and community – into sharper focus.

In Modesto it’s the annual “Celebration of Lights” taking place on Saturday, Dec. 5, providing lots of fun and unique ways to interact with the community and the ones you love.

So grab the family and start the car and head out of town to events held during the “giving” season to get your fill of holiday fun.

Here are a few of the things that Modesto will be offering during its annual community-wide Christmas event:

*Breakfast with Santa – What better way than to start the day with the man that spreads Christmas cheer all over the world? At the Modesto Senior Center, located at 211 Bodem Street, Santa Claus himself will be there to welcome the children who attend and will bring his wife, Mrs. Claus, to read a story to all of the good boys and girls who she hopes will end up on the “nice list.” Children will get all of the tools they need to give Santa a to-go letter when he heads back to the North Pole. Tickets, which cost $5 each, can be purchased in advance from the Parks, Recreation and Neighborhoods Department, the Modesto Convention and Visitors Bureau, Barker’s Music Store or any North Modesto Kiawanis Member.

*Dickens’ Faire – He wrote arguably one of the best Christmas stories of all time. And now you can celebrate all that is Victorian England when the Modesto Certified Farmer’s Market, located on 15th Street between I and J Streets, will host its annual Dickens Faire. The beautiful McHenry Mansion will decorated to epitomize a Victorian Christmas and will host arts and crafts activities for interested children. The event takes places between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.

*Miracle on 10th Street – What would Christmas be without a parade? This year the largest community event of the year will begin at 5:30 p.m. at the intersection of I and 14th Streets, and will carry the theme of “Miracle on 10th Street.” Thousands attend every year.

*Tree Lighting – Immediately following the conclusion of the parade the organizers will light the city’s official Christmas Tree at 10th Street Plaza, located at 1010 10th Street.

To contact reporter Jason Campbell email jcmapbell@mantecabulletin.com or call 209.249.3544.