Loomis awash in celebration this weekend

Put on your party hat, grab a warm coat and get ready to sing and be jolly at the Loomis 25th anniversary party and Christmas tree lighting.Saturday's festivities, hosted by the Town of Loomis at the train depot, are just part of a full weekend of events kicking off the holidays throughout Loomis.The Town of Loomis was incorporated on Dec. 17, 1984, and to celebrate its 25th anniversary, the town council and staff are wrapping the event around the tree lighting, a visit by Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus, a sing-a-long, live music, and games for kids. The party includes cake for everyone this Saturday, Dec. 5. Activities start at 2 p.m. and conclude at 6 p.m."The town council would like everyone to come help us celebrate our 25th anniversary and light the Christmas tree," said Councilman Miguel Ucovich."It seems just like yesterday," said Ucovich, reminiscing about the election that brought "cityhood" to Loomis. Ucovich, as well as Mayor Walt Scherer, were part of a large town incorporation committee.Get into the holiday mood on Friday evening by visiting the 35th Annual Days of Yesteryear Country Christmas Craft Faire at Loomis Veterans Memorial Hall. Vendors will offer arts and crafts from 6 to 9 p.m. Refreshments will also be served. The fair, sponsored by the Friends of the Loomis Library, continues Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. A lasagna luncheon, as well as homemade desserts, will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.Loomis Basin Charter School will hold its second annual Winter Festival from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, in the Franklin Elementary School gymnasium, 5438 Laird Road. Activities include a marketplace, a craft corner, and gift wrapping.You can also start Saturday with a Christmas Breakfast at Candy Cane Land, sponsored by the Loomis Basin Congregational United Church of Christ, located at 6440 King Road. Breakfast will be served from 7:30 to 11: 30 a.m.; tickets are $6.50 for adults or $4 for children. Enjoy music, a silent auction and home-baked goods.Sierra Christian Church, located at 5645 Rocklin Road in Loomis, will also hold a Holiday Gift Fair. Arts and crafts and used children's books will be available.Want to see five homes decorated especially for the holidays? Then get a ticket for the Loomis Basin Holiday Home Tour that runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $25 when purchased in advance. For an additional $10 lunch will be served, if ordered in advance, at the 100-year-old Red Horse Barn at the Craftsman Farmhouse in Lincoln, one of the five homes on the tour. The other homes are a Mediterranean villa, a modern ranch home, a traditional estate home and a European manor.Tour tickets are available now at Blue Goose Produce, where they can also be purchased Saturday, for the home tour only, at $30 each.Pets can join the fun at a "Yappy Hour" at the grand re-opening of Aunt Cynthia's Bed & Biscuit Inn at 3190 Swetzer Road. From 1 to 5 p.m. there will be pet portraits with Santa, a pet holiday costume contest, as well as wine tasting and a craft show. A silent auction and raffle drawing will also be held.LOOMIS 25TH ANNIVERSARY AND TREE LIGHTINGSaturday, Dec. 5Loomis Depot, Horseshoe Bar and Taylor Roads.2 to 5 p.m.: Bounce house for kids4 p.m.: 25th Incorporation party and cake Western Lights Blue Grass Band featuring Bill Ward Ventriloquist Roger Carroll5:30 p.m. Tree Lighting, with cookies and cider Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive Sing-a-long