Christmas comes early on the Town Green

Town of Windsor hosts annual holiday celebration
Aglow with holiday lights and holiday spirit, The Town of Windsor will ring in the season at the annual Holiday Celebration Thursday, Dec. 4 from 5-8 p.m.  
The Town of Windsor’s Parks & Recreation Department invites residents and visitors to enjoy festivities for the whole family, which will include musical presentations, craft projects for youth and the “Marv Stubbs Memorial Toy Drive,” sponsored by the Windsor Fire Protection District. Unwrapped toys may be dropped off the evening of Dec. 4 at the fire truck parked at Honsa and McClelland Drive.
Communications specialist for the Town of Windsor Jeannie Mitchell said that attendees should expect “A marvelous, warm, family friendly introduction to the Holiday season.”
“The holiday celebration has been a family tradition for many Windsor families for many years. In the last few years, it has become an increasingly exciting event. The music part is represented by Windsor school children, the Charlie Brown Christmas Tree Grove continues to expand and add to the beauty, and then, of course, Mr. and Mrs. Claus arriving on a fire truck is always an exciting moment for the children, particularly,” Mitchell said.
At 7 p.m., Mr. and Mrs. Claus will arrive by fire engine and greet the crowd in person. With the help of the crowd’s energy, they will use their special magic to light Windsor’s holiday tree.  Rides in a horse drawn carriage or wagon, the “Polar Express” train and seasonal treats such as hot beverages, pastries and caramel corn will be available for purchase.
The “Polar Express” train will depart from the Huerta Gymnasium Parking lot.  Inside the gymnasium, photos with Santa will be available for purchase, along with complimentary children’s crafts and gingerbread cookie decorating.  In addition to the planned festivities, Windsor children will have an “inside track” to Santa Claus by mailing their Santa letters in the shiny red holiday mailbox located at the Town Green Central Pavilion. Please note that postage is required for all letters heading to the North Pole.
People4 Parks will also hold court with the sugar plum fairy in the library, for people to take photos. This is free, but donations are accepted.
The 2014 Holiday Celebration on the Green is rain or shine and admission is free. The celebration is made possible by the following sponsors: Cafe Noto, Dry Creek Rancheria, Just POPPED Up and Windsor Certified Farmers Market.
Schedule of Events
Children’s Polar Express train rides depart from the Huerta Gymnasium parking lot and jingle-bell horse-drawn carriage and wagon rides, located on McClelland Drive. Tickets can be purchased at the Central Pavilion. Carriage rides are $3, wagon rides are $1.  
Complimentary Gingerbread Cookie Decorating and Elves’ Craft Workshop for Children is located at Huerta Gymnasium.
A See’s Candy Fundraiser will take place in the Library Lobby and Huerta Gymnasium.  Proceeds benefit the Windsor Senior Center.
Photos with Santa, located in Huerta Gymnasium, are $8. Proceeds benefit the Windsor Youth Action Team.  
Musical program at Sparks Memorial Stage begin at 5 p.m. and feature local youth choirs.
To get to Windsor Town Green and Old Downtown Windsor:  take Highway 101 to the Central Windsor exit; go west on Old Redwood Highway, continue straight on Windsor River Road, and turn right on Market Street. Due to road construction on a portion of Old Redwood Highway, a free shuttle service will be provided from Keiser Park to the Windsor Town Green. Keiser Park is located at 700 Windsor River Road.