LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – On Saturday special events in Lower Lake and Clearlake celebrated the Christmas season.
The Anderson Marsh Interpretive Association hosted its annual “Old Fashioned Christmas” during the day and Clearlake held its annual “Christmas by the Lake” celebration in the evening.
Anderson Marsh’s open house event started in 1982 and is the nonprofit organization’s way of thanking its supporters and welcoming members of the public to the grounds.
Board member Henry Bornstein helped welcome guests to the ranch house, built in 1855. The structure and fireplaces go back to pre-Civil war days and on special occasions, such as this open house, are filled with live music, singing and a roaring fire.
An active group of volunteers provided beverage refreshments and cookies.
The Christmas tree was decorated this year by Nancy Langdon’s second grade class at Burns Valley School. The tree was to be auctioned in a free raffle at the end of the event.
The ongoing tradition is even more important today, as it brings public awareness to help keep this endangered state park open.
On Saturday evening, it was over to Clearlake for the downtown Christmas celebration.
Sixteen floats decorated in holiday style made their way along Clearlake’s Lakeshore Drive. The parade was a warm holiday treat to a chilly evening in Clearlake.
Santa and Mrs. Claus – escorted by the Clearlake Police Department and Lake County Fire Protection District – led the parade.
Following the parade, the tree lighting ceremony was held at Austin Park.
Winners of the float parade also were announced at the ceremony. They included first place, Nazarene Church; second place, Fancy Paws Pet Grooming; and third place, Performance Mechanical.
A special plaque for community appreciation was presented to the Volunteers in Policing (VIP). Jessie Boyd of Four Corners Builders Supply and the parade organizer, accepted the plaque on the VIPs’ behalf.
Parade goers were entertained throughout the night by dances and songs performed by students from local area schools. Attendees also could get their pictures taken with Santa at the park’s gazebo.
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