MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – The annual Christmas in Middletown event put on by the Middletown Area Merchants Association was enjoyed by well over 1,000 guests on Saturday evening, Dec. 13.

Under clearing skies, nonprofits set up booths selling all manner of edibles and trinkets and merchants stayed open late. 

Santa came to town riding one of several fire engines that drove down Highway 29 with lights on and sirens howling.

Storefronts were decorated and free cookies, cider, and hot chocolate awaited guests inside.

Highway 29 was lined with Christmas trees donated by area businesses that were decorated by different elementary school classes and were collected at the conclusion of the evening for distribution to families in need.

Christmas in Middletown guests were invited to fill out a “passport” with stamps from each of 29 participating Middletown Area Merchants Association (MAMA) members. 

Prizes donated by local merchants were awarded in three age divisions by a drawing among passport holders who had achieved 25 or more stamps. 

The winners in the 0-12 years of age category were Brandon and Shelby N., 12-18 year-old winners were Autumn P. and Lindsey N., adult winners were Veronica McGee, Stephanie Simon and Laurie DeFiore.

Passport holders also were asked what they liked most about Christmas in Middletown. The most popular response was the sense of community, peace, and joy that permeated the event. 

Other “favorite” aspects included the food, the Christmas decorations, and getting to know the local businesses and their owners.

The businesses that received the most votes for “best decorated” were, in descending order, 2 Women Traders, Middletown Florist and Gifts, and Fringe and J Myers’ hair salons (tie).

Christmas in Middletown is an annual MAMA event occurring on the second Saturday of December.