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Manteca’s holiday parade celebrates a 'Candyland Christmas' | Need to Know

Roughly 8,000 people attend the traditional parade every year.
Credit: Manteca Chamber of Commerce
The Manteca Holiday Parade will kick off on Dec. 7.

MANTECA, Calif. — Manteca’s traditional holiday parade will be coasting through the city once again this year, lighting up the streets with a "Candyland Christmas" celebration.

The annual parade has been running for about 47 years at this point, according to Joann Beattie, executive director for the Manteca Chamber of Commerce, and, this year, tons of people are gearing up for the lighted parade.

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“It’s big. This year we have tons of floats, so I think everybody really likes the theme,” Beattie said.

Despite how much the parade entrants might like the event, it’s hard to dwarf the enthusiasm of the spectators in Manteca.

There'll be competition to nab a prime spot in front of the American Legion building to be by the announcers, and, according to Beattie, there’ll be plenty of people making some unofficial sidewalk reservations on the morning of the parade to ensure a good seat.

“If you’ve never been, you’re missing out… We have a lot of new homeowners and new people moving into Manteca and so I think it would be a treat if they treated their family and came out at 5 o’clock on the 7th,” said Beattie.

She estimates around 8,000 will be heading out to the parade on the big day.

When and where is it?

Manteca’s holiday parade will take to the streets on Dec. 7 at 5 p.m. However, Beattie suggests getting there about an hour early to find a good spot.

The parade will come off Oak Street at West Yosemite Avenue heading east until it reaches Manteca High School.

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What will be there?

At last count, the parade is boasting 75 entrants, and, at least half the entries are lighted floats.

However, once the parade comes to an end, you can head to Woodward Community Park for Christmas in the Park.

The party at the park officially starts on Dec. 6, but it will continue into Saturday and Sunday of that weekend. On Dec. 7, it’ll be running from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

It’s advertising a snow play area, petting zoo, rock painting, live music, carnival rides, food, and vendor booths.

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