Kick off your holiday season this weekend at the 29th Annual Cowboy Christmas.
Dates for the event are Friday and Saturday, Nov. 24 and 25, and this is just one of many holiday-themed activities coming up in the next couple of weeks.
Friday hours for the festive Cowboy Christmas, put on through the Oakdale Cowboy Museum, are 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., hosted at the Gene Bianchi Community Center, 110 S. Second Ave., Oakdale.
Vendors and artisans will be on hand with a number of unique, one-of-a-kind gift items inside the Community Center on Friday. On Saturday, more vendors will set up shop for the day outside, in the Oakdale Town Plaza, and hours will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with vendors both indoors and outdoors.
A special feature on Saturday will be the arrival of Cowboy Santa, who will visit from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., taking time for photos and to hear the holiday wishes of local youngsters.
Additional events upcoming include:
A Very Furry Christmas Canine Costume Contest. Scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 3 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Gene Bianchi Community Center Plaza, there will be craft vendors, face painting, food vendors, silent auction, raffle drawing, photos with Santa and prizes for those voted the best canines in costume. That includes a $250 cash award to the Best of Show, donated by Love Oakdale. Dogs must be on a leash. The event is sponsored by the Oakdale Shelter Pet Alliance and the City of Oakdale Animal Shelter. There will also be an opportunity for pet adoptions at this event.
Free Pictures with Santa, set for Sunday, Dec. 3 and Saturday, Dec. 9 at Living Hope Christian Fellowship, corner of Highway 120 and River Road, Oakdale. There will be Christmas crafts, a bounce house, treats from Mrs. Claus and the chance to meet Santa. Hours on Dec. 3 are 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.; the Dec. 9 hours are noon to 4 p.m.
Christmas Tree Lighting, set for Wednesday, Dec. 6 at 5:30 p.m. at Oak Valley Hospital District, 350 S. Oak Ave., Oakdale. All are welcome to come join in for an evening of remembrance, treats and the chance for children to visit with Santa and have their photo taken with him.
