Thanks to the Paso Robles Downtown Main Street Association, our holiday festivities are straight out of a storybook with Santa and Mrs. Claus, their elves, the Grinch, the Snow King and Queen, and of course, everyone’s favorite crabby old man…Scrooge! 

The first chapter is the tradition of Mrs. Claus flipping the giant switch to light the Downtown City Park gazebo, trees and downtown shop windows on the evening after Thanksgiving. Once Mrs. Claus sees that downtown is festively lit and ready for the holidays, she delivers the message to Jolly Old St. Nick himself. 

Santa and his elves arrive at the Christmas Light Parade on December 7 at 7 p.m.  After the parade, Santa will be at the City Park Holiday House. 

The town’s storybook characters come together again at the Vine Street Victorian Showcase on December 14 from 6 to 9 p.m. with carolers, dancers and musicians. The lovely Snow Queen will grant wishes with her handsome King nearby. The antics of Ebenezer Scrooge from his balcony draws huge crowds that “hoot and howl” right back at him! 

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Vine Street was one of Paso’s first residential streets and has many vintage Victorian homes. Thirteen blocks between 8th and 21st streets are closed to traffic. What began 33 years ago as neighbors organized by Norma Moye to decorate their homes for the holidays has become a community celebration that draws tens of thousands of people. Main Street’s partnerships with the City of Paso Robles, the El Paso de Robles Historical Society, Vine Street neighbors and businesses, schools, service organizations along with countless volunteers and hours of work make the magical evening possible. The crowd is huge, so please be considerate and leave your dogs at home.

The final storybook chapter is the Victorian Teddy Bear Tea on December 21 at the Park Ballroom at 1232 Park Street, devoted to small children and their favorite Teddy Bears enjoying tea and cookies served by Santa’s elves. Seating is limited, tickets are required; available on December 2 at Main Street office, $8 for kids, $20 for adults. 805-238-4103. 

A Holiday Shopping Spree! Play Downtown Black-Out Bingo

See the bingo page and list of businesses in this issue of the Paso Robles Magazine or pick up a songbook at downtown merchants or the Main Street office to win prizes of $500, $250 and $100. To play, visit each store to stamp the page. The COMPLETED page must be turned in to Main Street by Friday, December 13. Entry is limited to one (1) per person; must be 18 years old. Page must be stamped by all businesses. 

Winners announced Sunday, December 15 at 3 p.m. at the City Park Holiday House. The winners need not be present to win.