The Lights on Parade’s 24th annual holiday celebration, put on by the Hollister Downtown Association, was more than just a parade. This year it included all-day events such as a holiday boutique at the Veterans Memorial Building and pictures with Santa after the parade.
The holiday car show was cancelled due to the threat of rain.
 The boutique was held from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., during which time vendors ranged from jewelry and purses to phone accessories and paintings. The boutique fell on small business saturday, a day to buy from local and small businesses to support them after Black Friday. Last year 5,000 people visited the boutique with nearly 60 vendors that included gifts for the whole family.
This year’s theme was “The Magic of Christmas.” It was expected to bring around 8,000 to 10,000 people to downtown Hollister.
Jaime the Elf, who lights the way and starts off the parade, is featured in a story written by local artist, Kathleen Sheridan, in 1995. The story is about an elf who discovers that love and peace are the key to happiness in Christmas. it encourages children to think of acts of kindness.
The parade included around dozens of floats from local businesses, service organizations and others, and ended with the annual appearance by Santa and Mrs.Claus. Some participants included Girl Scouts, Ace the Rancho-Maze and San Benito High School bands, the Cancer Society, and more.
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