COLUSA, CA (MPG) — Along Main Street at the historic Tin House, the Christmas Tyme tree lit up the night Dec. 5 and opened the holiday season in Colusa County as families filled downtown for a night of lights, music and treats.
Christmas Tyme in Colusa, a downtown tradition launched 30 years ago on Market Street as “Old Tyme Christmas,” returned this year with strong support from the Colusa Lions Club, Rotary Club of Colusa, the city of Colusa and the Colusa County Chamber of Commerce. The Christmas Tyme Committee, made up of nonprofit members and city staff, has expanded the festival over the past 14 years.
“I thought the event went really well and smoothly,” said Colusa Rotary President Jim Sherman. “It brought people together and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves.”
Facing challenges of closing Market Street, a state highway, at night, the group continued to shift to hosting the festival on Main Street. They added more lights, moved vendors to the center of the street to improve visibility and opened more space for visitors to stroll.
Sherman said the city’s work helped set the stage.
“The city of Colusa did an extraordinary job,” he said. “Jesse Cain had his crew out there working early in the morning pulling the event together. They had the streets cleaned up and ready. A tremendous amount of work.”
Christmas Tyme transformed a usually quiet stretch of Main Street into a holiday fairway with entertainment, food, games, vendors and make-believe snow. The Kid’s Zone filled the Hobbit Ford parking lot, while Santa Claus greeted families at the decorated Tin House. A full-size walk-in snow globe drew lines of children and adults.
This year’s entertainment lineup featured Stardust Dance, a mariachi band, the Colusa Ukulele Club and the high school band.
Sherman said the mariachi band stood out.
“People seemed to love the mariachi,” he said. While the band played, people gathered to listen, and some danced in the street.
About 60 vendors lined both sides of Main Street for four blocks. Children played games, toasted and ate s’mores at the Colusa Boy Scouts booth and watched as the city lit the water towers. Food vendors set up along Sixth, Seventh and Eighth streets and created small food courts just off the main route.
Jack Cunningham, executive director of the Colusa County Chamber of Commerce, said the turnout showed the value of the downtown celebration.
“I think this is such a great event for the town, seeing everyone come out and enjoy themselves,” Cunningham said.
He said vendors reported a strong night.
“I had good feedback from vendors, and many sold out,” Cunningham said. “That’s a great thing. You want to sell out as a vendor. Many are asking to be back next year.”
Cunningham said the decision to move the food vendors to the side streets paid off.
“By moving the food vendors to the side streets, it allowed for the main fairway to not be clogged up and allowed for better flow of foot traffic,” he said.
He added that he especially liked how Santa’s village turned out and credited the holiday music downtown. Cunningham said the carolers were led by J.B. Brayfindley provided a fitting soundtrack for the Main Street celebration.