While there are quite a few jack-o-lanterns still to be seen on porches around town, it is now officially the holiday season (well, according to toy and Christmas decoration manufacturers). Turlock has three upcoming events that are community holiday traditions, starting with the Salvation Army’s Kettle Kickoff luncheon.

The Turlock Salvation Army will be literally ringing in the season at the Kettle Kickoff on Nov. 12. This event — which began in Stanislaus County years ago and is now held around the country — brings together community members to get an update on how the Salvation Army has been helping others over the past year, while also getting a jumpstart on red kettle donations.

“(The Kettle Kickoff) kicks off our Christmas season, which is our biggest fundraiser through the end of November and all of December. It helps our annual budget for this next coming year… helping us keep our doors open, keeping our programs available, like our after school program, our Senior Program, social services, all of the things that we do here in the facility and within the community,” said Captain Jeff Breazeale.

Along with the traditional holiday lunch fare and featured speaker, the “main event” is the Kettle Klash — a five-minute, hectic scramble of volunteer teams racing around the room with Salvation Army kettles, aiming to collect as many cash donations as possible.

The fundraising is very much needed, according to Captain Katie Breazeale, who said the Turlock Salvation Army has seen an increase in families in need the past few months.

“(Especially) in social services…I've been down there quite a bit this last month. We helped over 175 families with food, which is almost triple what we normally do,” she said.

Along with the increased need for their food boxes, Captain Jeff Breazeale said they would also like to expand their after-school program and Senior Program.

“We are at capacity right now for our after-school program. With the number of employees that we have and volunteers, we can only go up to 28 children to keep a good ratio there. So having financial support we would be able to increase our capacity, which then, in turn, gives kids something to do. I grew up as a latchkey kid, so, I know what it means to have to go home and take care of myself after school. And so being able to do this (after-school program) gives kids a safe place, a place of learning, a place of God where they can get a meal and not only be educated and nurtured on a physical level, but also a spiritual level and a social level as well,” he said.

The 28th annual Kettle Kickoff Luncheon will be held at 11:30 a.m. Nov. 12 at The Grand Oak, 1450 N. Soderquist Rd., Turlock. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 209-667-6091.

Festival of Lights

The 26th annual Festival of Lights event will return to downtown Turlock on Nov. 29.

“It’s just that tradition that starts off the season…Bring your kids out for a safe, family-friendly event that doesn’t cost anything. It’s one of the few free things that are available for free,” said Turlock Downtown Property Owners Association executive director Travis Regalo.

The evening’s events begin at 5 p.m. with a vendor fair that includes downtown shops and eateries staying open late. There will be live entertainment on a stage in the Central Station parking lot at 10 E. Main St. There will be a caroling competition this year, according to Regalo, and community caroling following the lighting of the official city Christmas tree in Central Park at 6:30 p.m. “Snow” might also be in the forecast again in downtown Turlock, weather permitting, creating a unique holiday experience for Valley residents and visitors.

At 8 p.m. visitors will be treated to a holiday drone show, courtesy of Sky Dreams and made possible through a grant from the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District.

“This is the heart of the community. Last year was probably one of the largest events attendance-wise in years,” said Regalo, who estimated attendance at around 10,000 last year. “If you’re longing for a since of community in the holiday season, this is the event.”

Major sponsors for this year’s event is Turlock Dental Care and the City of Turlock. Regalo also said that he appreciates Central Station opening their private parking lot for use during the festival.

Christmas Parade

The 45th annual Turlock Christmas Parade will make its way downtown starting at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 6.

The theme of this year’s parade is “A Neon Night” and, according to Turlock Recreation Superintendent Juan Vargas, it will be a full line-up with 70 entries signed up to wow crowds with their holiday lights.

The parade will once again start at Main Street and Canal Drive, head west down Main Street to Broadway, then turn north and end at the Stanislaus County Fairgrounds. Crowds are sure to start lining up early in the day, as they have for years.

“It’s always popular,” said Vargas of the parade, which draws an estimated crowd of 15 to 20,000 every year. “We have one of the most popular (parades) in the area.”

Once again the Turlock Firefighters Local #2434 will be the major sponsor of the event.