The Origins of the Vine Street Victorian Christmas Showcase

By Paso Robles Press · Fri Dec 12 2025

By Grace Pucci

It was early autumn in 1986. There was a knock on my front door. Norma Moye was standing there with a huge smile on her face and saying, “I have an idea for a little event in our neighborhood, and I need your help. Can we talk about it?” I said “sure,” and we sat down in my front parlor and discussed her idea. That humble conversation was the beginning of the event we call the Vine Street Victorian Christmas Showcase. This year on Saturday, December 13, we will be celebrating 39 years of this extraordinary event.

Norma explained on that autumn day that living in a Victorian Home, and loving all things Victorian, she had envisioned a Christmas party on Vine Street based on a Victorian theme. I liked the idea and thought we just might be able to pull it off. That first year was a challenge, but volunteers distributed a letter to every home on the street between 10th and 20th streets, explaining to the residents what we were planning and asking that they decorate their homes, and to let Norma know if they had any type of activity they would like to have in their front yard. Neighbors came forward, and that first year, we had carolers, hot cider, popcorn, Santa and his elves, roasted chestnuts, Mr. Scrooge, and Wade Taylor even pulled a hay wagon up and down the street, giving hayrides to our visitors who sang festive carols along the route. That first year, we had about 600 people walking Vine Street and enjoying the sights and sounds of an old-fashioned Christmas. Norma remembers that a lady approached her that first night with tears in her eyes. She stated she was visiting from England and that our little event reminded her so much of home.

Comments like hers and others in attendance made us realize how special the event was and that we needed to make sure it continued.

The following year, Gary Ashton knocked on Norma’s door one night. He had the idea of creating snowman signs to be placed in front of homes up and down Vine Street. These jolly signs would announce the activity happening at that home on the night of the Showcase. With Norma’s enthusiastic agreement, Gary started to work on the signs, and by the week before the event, over 60 snowmen were in place along the street.

As time went on, performers and activities changed, but the core of Vine Street entertainment remains. Santa is still enchanting children, Scrooge is still his irascible self, carolers regale visitors with Christmas melodies, there is snow for sledding, cookies at Grandma’s Cookie House, a living nativity scene, hot cider, the Snow King & Queen, and so much more. All made possible through the cooperation of our Vine Street neighbors and a group of dedicated volunteers.

If you drive Vine Street during the day of the event, you will see lots of activity in the neighborhood. Our wonderful neighbors and volunteers will be setting up tents, putting up last-minute lights and decorations, making sure snowman signs are firmly in place, and if the traffic slows, you can be sure someone is driving Norma up and down the street so she can check on the progress and offer words of encouragement to everyone.

Through the years, the event has grown tremendously. Locals as well as visitors from all over the country (and even visitors from other countries) enjoy an evening of old-fashioned holiday cheer. Estimates put attendance at upwards of 8,000 attendees throughout the evening.

There is a huge amount of planning that goes into the event. Norma must ensure that activities along the street don’t clash with each other. It doesn’t work to have a group of carolers next door to a loud band, or Santa greeting children next door to grouchy old Mr. Scrooge. But somehow it all comes together and makes for a magical evening.

This year’s Showcase, a gift to the community, will be Saturday, December 13, between 8th and 20th streets, from 6 to 9 p.m. This is a free event for our visitors, and nothing is allowed to be sold during the evening. As with everything else, expenses for the event have increased substantially through the years. Some of the expenditures include rental of sound systems, port-potties, insurance for the event, technical assistance for the more complicated set-ups, etc. This year, organizers are asking, if possible, that those who attend make a $1 donation to help cover some of these expenses. There will be a donation tent at 1415 Vine St., and any amount would be helpful and appreciated.

Your friends and neighbors on Vine Street look forward to seeing you on the 13th. Happy Holidays!

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