KELSEYVILLE, Calif. — Downtown Kelseyville was filled with Christmas cheer and lights on Friday evening for the annual “Christmas in the Country” celebration.

The event, organized by the Kelseyville Business Association, had the feel of pre-pandemic days, with more families filling up the town’s business district, where there were activities at shops beginning in the early afternoon.

Starting with a merchants open house in the early evening, visitors were able to find a variety of foods, visit businesses and catch up with friends.

The theme was “Christmas in Toyland,” and that was especially visible in the Parade of Lights, which lasted about 40 minutes as it wound its way through town.

The floats included Santa Claus, several Grinches, community groups and businesses, singers and cartoon characters. Interspersed were classic cars and trucks, horses, a Kelseyville Unified School District bus outfitted with a train horn, marching bands and dancing Christmas trees.

Bringing up the rear of the parade once again was the bubble machine, followed by excited children.

After the parade, children were able to visit with Santa Claus at the recently opened Lady Luck Garage.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.