COLUSA, CA (MPG) – There was something special about Christmas Tyme in Colusa last Friday and everyone seemed to know it before City officials said so.
Christmas in Colusa on Dec. 1.
The first local celebration to signal the start of the holiday season and bring the community
together was bigger than usual and had been underway for about an hour before Colusa Mayor Greg Ponciano gave special recognition the Colusa Lions and Rotary clubs for organizing the long-time tradition.
“Service to others is a hallmark of the American character,” Ponciano said. “Service and
volunteer groups throughout Colusa spread a positive example to others through their good
work and contribute significantly to the high quality of life of all our citizens.”
Ponciano and Colusa City Council members Denise Conrado, Julie Garofalo, Ryan Codorniz, and Daniel Vaca gathered on the stage to proclaim December as “Colusa Volunteer Month” and light the Christmas tree at the historic Colusa County Courthouse, which had been strung with new red and white lights and featured a Nutcracker themed photo area at its base.
Food, craft, and novelty vendors, among others, lined Market Street for more than four blocks.
Dec. 1, 2023.
There were also more activities added to the Children’s play area in the Davison Drug &
Stationery parking lot for children to play games, have their photos taken as traditional holiday characters, and frolic in man-made snow that blew up from a snowflake machine.
At the Colusa County Arts Council gallery, the Ukulele Club, under the direction of Bill Anderson, performed their first sing-along Christmas concert.
Christmas Tyme in Colusa also featured Stardust Dancers, Santa’s Village, music, and three
bounce houses at 4th Street. A horse drawn carriage driven by Santa Claus rounded out the activities.
rounds at the 2023 Christmas Tyme in Colusa celebration.
“If it wasn’t for the sponsors, we would not have this event,” said Lions Club Member Ed
Conrado, before he read off a long list of contributors that included local businesses, families, individuals, and the City of Colusa.
The weather was considered perfect for the occasion, and the extra touch and added activities did not go unnoticed.
“This is the best Christmas Tyme so far, and I’ve been coming here for as long as I can
remember,” said Angela Cano. “I don’t think they could have done anything else to make it
better.”
ever Christmas sing-along concert at the Colusa County Arts Council gallery during Christmas
Tyme in Colusa on Dec. 1.
The Christmas Tyme in Colusa Committee worked for several months to bring a quality holiday event to local residents and the hundreds of people who came to Colusa from outside the city, which illustrated the need for volunteers to make a difference in the lives of others.
“Volunteering is a special thing,” said Lion’s Club member, Jim Pingrey. “When you volunteer, you realize that you start thinking about other people beside yourself and you have a sense of purpose.
As membership in civic organizations decline, the Colusa Lions and Rotary clubs continue to
look for new members to help with events and service projects in the community.
“We lost a really dear member of ours, Bill Sterk,” Pingrey said. “He was worth about five Lions and we miss him dearly. We would like to see more people raise their hand and helpus out.”
Greg Ponciano, Ryan Codorniz, and Daniel Vaca proclaim December as Colusa Volunteer Month
during the Christmas Tyme festivities.us out.”
Colusa Rotarian Antonio Ortiz, the 2023 Christmas Tyme chairman, echoed Pingrey and
Ponciano’s message about the positive impact made by those who contribute their time,
energy, and money to this event because it brings joy to so many during the holidays.
“The community is what lets us do that,” Ortiz said.