DIXON, CA (MPG) - The holiday season was celebrated similar to a city-wide Dixon reunion at last week’s annual Christmas Tree Lighting Festival in downtown Dixon, filling nearly two blocks of fun and festivities for residents. 

“It was just amazing!” enthused Dixon Downtown Business Association President Jill Orr about the Dec. 5 event, noting that there was much more involvement this year from schools, nonprofit organizations and local groups. “I think it was the community that was really into it this year, thanks to Angela (Meisenheimer). She is so much a part of this. She organizes so many people and so many volunteers. She has a huge outreach and gets everybody involved. She is an amazing person. It wouldn’t happen if it weren’t for her.”

The dynamic two-women duo orchestrated children’s activities such as inflatable characters, a petting zoo and pony rides and also non-stop entertainment on two stages, including choir performances at Pardi Plaza by the Valley of the Sacred Heart Catholic School and the Orpheus West Chamber Choir from Davis. Other entertainment included routines by the Dixon Youth Football Cheerleaders, Dixon Dance Studio and Hawaiian Dancers from Vacaville. Vocalists performed on the stage in the Dixon Women’s Improvement Club near the large, beautifully lit Dixon Downtown Business Association Christmas tree.

Standing nearby the tree were Councilman Jim Ernest and his wife, Kathy.

“It seems like all of Dixon turned out for the tree lighting,” Jim Ernest said. “As a City Councilman, it’s especially encouraging to see our downtown come to life like this.”

Children were delighted with the free petting zoo in the old Bank of America parking lot and pony rides outside the library while inside storytelling for children was provided by the Dixon Public Library staff.  

Youth and their friends lined up at the Grace Fellowship Church’s free photo booth while other families posed in front of the life-size nativity scene with Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus that was also provided by the church.  

The Olde Vet’s Hall was packed with nearly 20 local vendors selling beautiful artisan gifts, such as homemade soaps, Christmas jewelry, aprons, towels, home-sewn specialties, wood crafts, Mexican candies and customized trucker hats. 

Families were delighted to visit Santa Claus inside Ye Olde Vet’s Hall where family pictures were taken and then enjoy free popcorn provided by the Dixon Cub Scouts. 

All along North First Street, shops and restaurants filled up with friends visiting and enjoying snacks, cider, kettle corn and cookies provided by the Dixon Police and Fire departments and other merry merchants. The Dixon Lions Club cooked hot dogs.  

Calvary Chapel members provided their annual expansive area of Christmas children’s activities inside. There was also a festively-decorated small train providing rides for children and their families.       

“We had more decorations and brand-new Christmas banners all over,” Orr said. “This is the first time we had constant entertainment from cheerleaders, the Dixon Community Theater, Dixon Dance, Boy Scouts, FFA and some of the schools. We had tons of people. More of the nonprofits. We had the Salvation Army here and the Police Department and firefighters. Everyone was so supportive. It was just wonderful.”