KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – Downtown Kelseyville will open its doors for its annual “Christmas in the Country” celebration on Friday, Dec. 2.

The event will take place from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Included in the festive evening will be the Kelseyville Parade of Lights and Merchant Open House.

Every Christmas the Kelseyville Business Association kicks off the Christmas shopping season by showing off what it does best: some down home country hospitality and a great light show.

The spirit of spontaneity may be part of what makes the combined parade and open house so charming.

Holiday music fills the air all along Main Street starting at 5:30 p.m., and the shops have their doors open to welcome all to stop in, have a tasty treat and warm beverage, and discover our country town.

Visit Studebakers Coffee House, Dusty’s new antique store across the street then stroll down to the Rosa D’Oro and Wildhurst tasting rooms to sample local wines and visit all the merchants.

Enjoy a free mule-drawn wagon ride through town in the crisp winter air with Eleven Roses Ranch, and take in all the sights and sounds.

Stop at the Saw Shop Gallery Bistro and see the miniature quilt display then down to Kelseyville Pharmacy for holiday treats and a beautiful display of holiday gifts and ornaments.

Come early at 5 p.m. to the Kelseyville Presbyterian Church, 5340 Third St., for the church’s annual chowder and chili dinner, or stop in at St. Peter’s Catholic Church on Main Street for hot dogs and beans, and holiday treats and hot cocoa.

Kelseyville Methodist Church, 3810 Main St., will have free treats also and a choir singing holiday music. Bring some canned food to help the support their holiday food baskets for local families in need.

The parade is at 6:30 p.m. with Santa riding atop the fire truck, starting the amazing parade of lights.

Immediately after the parade walk down to Kelseyville Fire House for the town tree lighting. The new live tree has grown a whole foot since last year.

Follow Santa over to Westamerica Bank, where you can whisper your wishes and have a photo with Jolly Old St. Nick taken by Dawn Smith of Color Splash Photos.

While you’re waiting for Santa enjoy the Sweet Adelines singing holiday songs and be sure and visit Carolyn Morris in Westamerica Bank, where she’ll be showing her artwork. She’ll have prints to purchase of Kelseyville and beautiful Lake County.

Be sure and notice the big candle ornaments on the light poles. They have seen many Christmases in Kelseyville and had gotten very tired. However, the Brookes family, Lynne and their daughter Becca, wanted to restring the lights this year, making them beautiful once again.

To finish off the evening, Taylor Observatory will present “The Mystery of the Christmas Star” at 8:30 p.m. Ticket prices are $6 for adults and $3 for children under 12.

The observatory’s new state-of-the-art projector provides an awesome experience for all ages. For more information, call 707-262-4121.

So mark your calendars, wear your carves and mittens, and visit with old friends and make new ones while starting off your holiday season in a Christmas country town.

For more information or if you want to be in the parade contact Mary Morse at 707-279-8559.

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