LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Events to celebrate the Christmas season are taking place all around the county in the weeks ahead.
Below is an updated list of celebrations being held through the end of this month.
Wreaths Across America
LAKE COUNTY – Local volunteers and community groups will lay wreaths on the graves of veterans at several cemeteries around Lake County from 9 to 10 a.m.
Participating in this year's commemoration are Hartley, Kelseyville, Lower Lake, Upper Lake and St. Mary’s cemeteries.
For more information, contact Toni Funderburg at 707-263-5422.
Rotary Club of Clear Lake Community Christmas Dinner and Celebration
CLEARLAKE – The Rotary Club of Clear Lake will hold its 23rd annual Community Christmas Dinner and Celebration from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, in the Burns Valley School multipurpose room, 3620 Pine St.
Santa and his elves will be on hand to visit with children, who will receive a photo and a toy.
The free event includes a dinner of ham, scalloped potatoes, yams, vegetables and rolls, and pumpkin pie and chocolate chip cookies for dessert. Take home meals are available for a family member who cannot attend. Meals On Wheels delivers the warm meal to the seniors on their list.
The Warm for the Winter program will give away new and gently used coats, warm clothing, sleeping bags and blankets to those in need.
Scandinavian Christmas Open House
KELSEYVILLE – The Sons of Norway Vikings of Lake Lodge No. 6-166 will host its Scandinavian Christmas Open House on Saturday, Dec. 12, from noon to 3 p.m. at the Galilee Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall, 8860 Soda Bay Road in Kelseyville. Admission is free.
There will be Scandinavian Christmas décor with assorted delicacies to enjoy, including Danish Æbleskiver, Krumkake, Rømmegrøt, Lefse, Vafler, open-faced sandwiches and much more.
There also will be the annual Santa Lucia Pageant at 1 p.m. and the singing of Christmas carols around the Christmas tree at 1:30 p.m.
A Viking raffle will feature beautiful baskets filled with goodies, handmade ceramic pieces and jellies. Norwegian, Danish and Swedish calendars will be offered for sale for $12 each, as well as Scandinavian cookies, Lefse and almond cakes available for purchase.
The event proceeds benefit the lodge's Adopt-A-School Community Service Project for Cobb Mountain Elementary School.
For more information call Jo Swenson at 707-279-4698.
Christmas in Middletown
MIDDLETOWN – Christmas in Middletown will take place from noon to 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12.
The day will kick off at noon at the South Lake County Fire Station with a celebration of community and a free pasta lunch with all of the fixings for South Lake County residents.
Santa will be on hand, giving out gift certificates to local merchants for the children, there will be music and carols by local students and the Lake County Fire Victims Relief Fund will present an $800,000 check that will be distributed to residents who lost their homes to the Valley fire over the next several weeks.
In addition, local heroes will be honored at the lunch for their unwavering commitment to the South Lake County community during the Valley fire and the continued recovery efforts.
From 4 to 8 p.m., the celebration moves to downtown, with lights decorating Middletown from one end to the other and Christmas trees lining Calistoga Street.
All Middletown area businesses will be open late for shopping, dining and a Christmas celebration.
Join in the ever-popular “Passport to Fun.” Children and adults alike love visiting the participating businesses to collect stamps in their passports and be eligible to win gift certificates from the local businesses.
Santa will arrive at the new Middletown Park in front of the Senior Center and Library building on a fire truck at 5:30 p.m., with photo opportunities for families while Mrs. Claus gives away stuffed animals to the children.
There will be a band and food booths in Middletown Plaza. Vendors will have booths in the park (no food).
The Middletown Art Center is having an art opening and the MAMA Booth and fire pit with music will be at the corner of 175 and 29.
Pony rides and more vendors (food OK) will be available in front of Organic Home Lifestyles.
Funky Dozen Christmas Concert
LAKEPORT – A “Funky Dozen” celebration of Christmas comes to the Soper Reese Theatre at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 18.
Led by Larry Thompson, the band focuses primarily on favorites from the 1970’s, but also pulls the best from the 80’s and 90’s, to provide high energy music that keeps the dance floor crowded.
All seats for this special “Third Friday Live” holiday celebration are $15.
Tickets are available online at www.SoperReeseTheatre.com ; at the theater box office, 275 S. Main St., Lakeport on Fridays 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; by phone at 707-263-0577; or at The Travel Center, 1265 S. Main, Lakeport, Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Santa to visit Ely Christmas Marketplace
KELSEYVILLE – Come and enjoy the “decked halls” at the Ely Stage Stop & Country Museum for a Christmas Marketplace featuring local artists selling their handcrafted goods in the barn on Saturday, Dec. 19, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Santa has promised to be at the event and will be roaming the grounds and joining hayrides with the kids, weather permitting. Bring your cameras as Santa will be available for photos with kids of all ages at the museum’s main house.
Handcrafted goods will include jewelry, bath and beauty products, butcher blocks, up-cycled fabrics, wood creations, photography and more.
The Lake County Historical Society’s Ely Stage Stop & Country Museum is located at 9921 Highway 281 (Soda Bay Road), Kelseyville.
For more information, check out www.elystagestop.com , www.lakecountyhistory.org , www.facebook.com/elystagestop or call 707-533-9990, during museum hours, Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
'Blue Christmas' service
KELSEYVILLE – Kelseyville Presbyterian Church, located at 5340 Third St., will host a “Blue Christmas” or “Longest Night” worship service at 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19.
Come and join with them in sharing and hearing prayers, Scripture, and music that acknowledge that God's presence is for those who mourn, for those who struggle – and that God's Word comes to shine light into our darkness.
Everyone, regardless of church background, is welcome. The short service will be followed by a time for a light supper and fellowship.
For more information, please call Kelseyville Presbyterian Church at 707-279-1104.
Lake County Symphony Christmas Celebration
LAKEPORT – The Lake County Symphony will host its annual Christmas Celebration on Saturday, Dec. 20, at the Soper Reese Theatre, 275 S. Main St., Lakeport.
There will be an open rehearsal at 11 a.m., with tickets costing $5 for adults children age 18 and under offered free admittance.
The main concert will begin at 3 p.m., with $25 for general assigned seats and $30 for premium assigned seats. There is a $5 discount for Lake County Symphony Association members.
Holiday favorites including “Sleigh Ride” and “Let it Snow” will be performed, and there will be an audience sing-along of the “Hallelujah Chorus” from Handel's “Messiah.”
Tickets are available online at www.SoperReeseTheatre.com ; at the theater box office, 275 S. Main St., Lakeport on Fridays 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; by phone at 707-263-0577; or at The Travel Center, 1265 S. Main, Lakeport, Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Christmas Eve candlelight service
UPPER LAKE – A Christmas Eve candlelight service will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 24, at the United Methodist Church of Upper Lake.
The church is located at 676 Clover Valley Road, at the corner of First Street and Clover Valley Road.