A long-awaited holiday tradition returns

For the third year, the Wasco Rose Festival and the Orange Heart Foundation will bring back a magical holiday tradition with a vendor fair, Christmas parade and tree lighting on Saturday, Dec. 2. It will be an evening of fun, festivities and fellowship for the community to enjoy.

The vendor fair begins at 4 p.m. to allow for shopping and eating before and after the Christmas parade, starting at 6 p.m., with the tree lighting ceremony at approximately 7:15 p.m. The block party will continue until 9 p.m.

“Each year gets bigger and better. Year over year, we add more vendors, increase the number of parade entries and more Wasconians join us for this special night,” Orquidea Ocampo, Orange Heart Foundation secretary and Wasco Rose Festival board member said.

Sharon Sharp, Wasco Rose Festival committee member, said, “It is always a memorable night, and it is truly unique to see your community come together to kick off the Christmas season. Of course, the parade will end with Santa.”

This year, the theme is a Toy Story Christmas, carrying over from the Wasco Rose Festival Toy Story theme earlier this year.

The parade entry fee will be a toy, sock or book donation to Wasco Toys for Tigers. For a parade application, email [email protected] or contact Christi Johnson at 661-772-4107. For vendor applications, email [email protected] or call Orquidea Ocampo at 661-717-5783.

“More information will be forthcoming,” Sharp said. “Stay tuned for more exciting announcements.”