On Saturday, the Rio Linda Elverta Visions Neighborhood Association, with the Rio Linda Lions Club and the Rio Linda Elverta Chamber of Commerce are hosting the very first Rio Linda Hometown Christmas Light Parade. This initiative has been met with a groundswell of positive response from the community, and even organizations from outside the community have asked to be a part of it. We’ve had our small town parades before, but we have never seen anything like the response we’ve gotten over the last six weeks for this parade.
There are roughly 65 participants entered in the parade, including Sacramento County Supervisor-elect Sue Frost, the RLHS JROTC, The RLHS Knights Marching Band, Metro Fire Engines 111 and 116, The California Highway Patrol, the Sacramento County Sheriff Mounted Patrol, Twin Rivers PD, more horses, dogs, lowrider cars, karate kids, etc, etc, etc…
- The parade will take place on Saturday, December 10th at 6pm. It will begin at West 2nd Street travelling east on M Street, beneath the arch, to Depot Park where the Chamber of Commerce will be hosting their Holiday Social event, including Santa, coffee, hot cocoa, Christmas Carolling, and the traditional lighting of the Depot Building and the community Christmas tree.
- As of now (Wednesday, December 7th) there is a 20% chance of rain DURING the parade. This is a RAIN OR SHINE event. Either way, it’s going to be extremely chilly with the cold air following the storm. Please dress warmly and wisely! I understand Lew’s Club will be selling hot chocolate during the event.
- The entry fee for the parade participants is canned food or a new, unwrapped toy to be donated to Ruby’s Baskets, a local charity which provides food and gifts to underprivileged families in our community during the holiday season.
- Parade attendants are encouraged to bring a can or food or a toy along with them. There will be collectors working the parade route accepting donations. Remember, charity starts at home, and these donations got to families we see here in our community every day. These donations stay right here in Rio Linda and Elverta.
- Many streets will be CLOSED at 5:30pm, including Rio Linda Boulevard at M Street, 2nd at M street, West 2nd at M Street, West 2nd north of Rinetti Way, and M Street west of Depot Park. Please plan for these closures! Signs have been posted along the parade route to notify residents of these closures, and “ROAD CLOSED” signs and barricades will be set up before the parade begins.
- The judges, announcer and DJ will be located between Papa Murphy’s Pizza and Archway Market.
- Your best viewing of the parade will be at and around the Archway area at Rio Linda Boulevard and M Street.
- PARKING will be at a premium around the archway! You are strongly encouraged to walk to the event! Also, at Depot Park parking will not be available at the Rio Linda Elverta Community Center. You are encouraged to park on the streets.
- We estimate the parade will take about 2.5 hours, beginning to end.
This event could not have come together if it were not for the help of time and money from organizations like A-1 Storage, RioLindaOnline.com, Papa Murphy’s Pizza, Rio Linda Hardware, Rio Trees, A & J Worth Construction, The Rio Linda Visions Neighborhood Association, the Rio Linda/Elverta Chamber of Commerce, the Rio Linda Lions Club, the California Highway Patrol, the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department and Twin Rivers Unified School District.
Here we go! Let’s all have a blast. This is going to be one of the best days we’ve ever seen in our community. Let’s all make it happen!
