California Corner

OROVILLE--Venture north to Gold Country for the Frontier Christmas Celebration on Dec. 2. The event will feature craft-making activities, panning for gold, pioneer games, entertainment and food in an 1850s setting. Santa arrives at noon. Lake Oroville Visitors Center, 917 Kelly Ridge Road. Noon-4 p.m. Free. (530) 538-2219.

SUISUN--This waterfront community celebrates Christmas in Old Town on Dec. 2. Festivities will include the arrival of Santa Claus, a tree-lighting ceremony, merchants’ open house and Christmas caroling. On Main Street. 4:30-8 p.m. Free. (707) 421-7309.

UKIAH--Santa Claus will land at the airport at 10 a.m. and ride a firetruck through town to pass out candy canes and kick off the Small Town Christmas and Trucker’s Light Parade on Dec. 2. The lighted truck parade gets underway at dark. Downtown. 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Free. (707) 462- 4705.

SAN JOSE--A parade will march down Santa Clara Street for the annual Christmas in the Park on Dec. 3. Animated displays, decorated trees and thousands of twinkling lights will decorate Plaza de Cesar Chavez through Jan. 1. The parade starts at 11 a.m. Free. (408) 277-3303.

ESCONDIDO--Muskets and cannon displays will help re-create the historic period for the San Pasqual Battle Day Reenactment on Dec. 3. The festival of music, food and displays commemorates the 1846 battle at San Pasqual Battlefield State Historic Park, 15500 San Pasqual Valley Road, off California Highway 78. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. (760) 737-2201.

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Schenden’s e-mail address is lkschenden@msn.com.