Holiday events, meals being served up

Thanksgiving meals will be served today and Thursday before Christmas events take over this weekend.

Below is a listing of how Tuolumne County is kicking off the holiday season:

Thanksgiving dinners

• Mother Lode Christian School, along with Chapel in the Pines in Twain Harte, will host a Community Thanksgiving Meal starting at 1 p.m. today at the Tuolumne Veterans Memorial Hall, 18375 Fir Ave. The free dinner is open to all residents of Tuolumne plus Twain Harte residents who use the food closet at Chapel in the Pines. Home deliveries are available in the Tuolumne area. For more information, call Kerry Semsen at 352-1537.

• A free Community Thanksgiving Meal will begin at 6 p.m. today at the Jamestown Community Hall on Main Street in Jamestown. The free meal is sponsored by the Tuolumne County Recreation Department-Jamestown Youth Center and Sierra Bible Church. For more information, call 984-4188.

• Christian Heights Church and the Heart Rock Cafe will host their annual “Thanksgiving Meal with all the Trimmings,” a free community dinner beginning at 5:30 p.m. today. The meal will be served next to the cafe at 1 S. Washington St. in downtown Sonora, across from Courthouse Square. Christian Heights Church has been sponsoring this meal for the public since 2000. Organizers are expecting about 600 people this year. For more information, call the church at 532-7305.
  

• Sonora United Methodist Church will serve a free Thanksgiving Day Dinner from noon to 3 p.m. Thursday at 90 Yaney Ave. in Sonora. Last year, 87 people were fed. Donations are welcome. For more information, call 532-4850.

• The 22nd annual free Thanksgiving Dinner will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday at the Groveland Community Hall on Main Street in Groveland. For more information, call Edith Gray at 962-7055 or Ruben Bacci at 962-5912.

• The Sonora Alano Club will serve its 29th annual Free Thanksgiving Dinner from 1 to 4 p.m. Thursday at 19421 Village Drive in East Sonora. For more information, to donate or volunteer, call 532-9838.

• A Community Thanksgiving Meal will be served from 2 to 6 p.m. today at Union Congregational Church, 1141 S. Main St. in Angels Camp. All are welcome at no charge. For more information, call 736-4171.

• A Thanksgiving Feast will be held at the Copperopolis Armory, 695 Main St. Seatings are at noon, 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. Thursday. All are welcome at no charge. Donations accepted. Sponsored by the Copperopolis Community Food Pantry, local churches, community members and the Copperopolis Fire Protection District.

• A Free Thanksgiving Community Dinner will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. Thursday at the Ebbetts Pass Moose Lodge, 1965 Blagen Road in Arnold. The second annual dinner is open to everyone in the community. For more information, call Joshua Heller at 795-5623.

Sonora

• The 26th annual Historic Downtown Sonora Christmas Parade will begin at 5:30 p.m. Friday on Washington Street, rain or shine. Live music will take place before and after the parade, and Santa Claus will visit with children at Courthouse Square after the parade.

• The 17th annual Hometown Crafters Holiday Faire and Craft Boutique will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Sonora Opera Hall, 250 S. Washington St. in downtown Sonora. Admission is free. For more information, call 532-7252.

• The 35th annual Sonora Christmas Craft and Music Festival will take place Friday through Sunday at the Mother Lode Fairgrounds in Sonora. Performers will include Tom Ball and Kenny Sultan, the Christmas Jug Band, Joe Craven and Camptown, Golden Bough, Sourdough Slim and the Saddle Pals, Chains Required and the Mirth and Glee Carollers. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $7 for adults, $5 for seniors. Children 12 and under are free with an adult. Parking is $2. For more information, call 533-3473 or visit www.fireonthemountain.com.

Jamestown

•The Railtown 1897 Ladies will hold their annual Christmas Boutique from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday through Sunday in the Carriage Room at Railtown 1897 Historic State Park. For more information, call 533-3386.

• A Christmas Craft Fair will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday at Jamestown Community Hall on Main Street. For more information, call 984-4141.

• Steam-powered trains with Santa Claus aboard will operate at Railtown 1897 State Park Friday through Sunday, plus Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 19 and 20. Trains will depart on the hour from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. New this year will be Santa’s Starlight Express at 5:30 p.m. Saturday. Starlight Express tickets are $19 for adults, $9 for youth and free for children 5 and under traveling with an adult. For reservations, call 984-3953.

Groveland

• The Groveland Craft Faire will be held at the Groveland Community Hall on Main Street from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Admission is free.

• Children can get their photos with Santa Claus from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Groveland Fire Station.

Calaveras County

 Tree lightings
 
• The annual Avery Christmas Tree Lighting will take place Friday at Highway 4 and Avery Sheep Ranch Road. Refreshments will be served at 5:30 p.m., with the lighting taking place at 6 p.m. Cookies, coffee and cocoa will be served. For more information, call 795-3580.

• The 17th annual Dorrington Christmas Tree Lighting will take place at 6 p.m. Saturday at Dorrington Realty.

• The 31st annual Arnold Christmas Fair and Bazaar will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday at Avery Middle School, 4545 Moran Road in Avery. Activities will include photos with Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus, sponsored by the Soroptimists of Calaveras County, with proceeds going to the local food bank. Area crafters, barbecue and more will be available. For more information, call Diana Gerkensmeyer at 795-1366 or Carol Jones at 728-0760.