WILTON, CA (MPG) - The 16th annual Wilton Winter Festival took place on Dec. 7, featuring the largest parade in the event’s history and festive holiday activities at the Wilton Community Center. The celebration attracted several hundred attendees.

The Sacramento County Area 4 B Council (Parks & Rec) sponsored the event. The lead organizer was Patsy Nemetz, who chairs the council. 

“Our event was great,” she said. “We enjoyed fantastic weather, a record-setting parade, festive holiday music courtesy of Drew Gray Media, and various vendors. 

“This year, we introduced a new Santa’s Workshop area featuring free crafts and cookie decorating for kids. Guests also enjoyed the usual meals prepared by Maryann Evans and Dillard School volunteers, a visit with Santa, and free cookies and cocoa.” 

The parade is always the central attraction at the festival. The route begins at the Wilton Fire Department station at Wilton Road, travels north on Dillard Road past the viewing stand in front of the Wilton Bible Church, and ends at the community center off Colony Road.

Parade organizer Lynn Holliday said the parade drew 27 entries, the most since the festival began. “We also kept the roads closed longer than we ever had,” she said.

Holliday was particularly pleased with the participation of a horse group and a 1940 John Deere tractor. “I always joke that we must have horses and a tractor because, you know, this is Wilton.”

The parade also featured three classic Studebakers and a 94-year-old patrol car from the California Highway Patrol Museum.

Other highlights included a flatbed trailer from Wilton Animal Rescue showcasing some of their rehabilitated dogs, a rumble-ready Grinch cruising in a golf cart, Rangeview 4-H club members holding chickens and goats, Cub Scout Pack 16 carrying a banner and a giant candy cane, two floats honoring veterans, and the Living Water Church float, where the “Little Drummer Boy” played professional-grade drums with enthusiasm.

This year’s Grand Marshal was Corky Donnelly, who managed Shelton Feed & Supply for 40 years. According to Nemetz, the council chose Donnelly for the honor because of his lasting impact on the Wilton community. “His steadfast commitment to helping others has made a real difference in our community for generations,” she said.

Another standout participant was Sacramento County Supervisor Pat Hume, who delighted the crowd by tossing candy from a vintage Mustang.

The highlight for kids was a jolly Santa Claus, who arrived at the end of the parade riding inside a fire truck. After being dropped off at the community center, Santa took his place on the outdoor stage, where youngsters lined up to share their Christmas wishes as festive holiday music filled the air.

Volunteer Codi Craig organized the craft fair, which featured 30 vendors displaying their goods on the driveway behind the community center. Most of the items were handcrafted, including sewn and knitted textiles, Christmas ornaments, soaps, freeze-dried candies, and jewelry. The Wilton History Group also participated, selling calendars and T-shirts at its booth.

“The vendors were happy with the turnout,” Craig said. “Regardless of how much money they made, they came out to be part of the community.”

Inside the community center, attendees enjoyed breakfast and lunch prepared by Dillard Elementary teacher Maryanne Evans and a team of school volunteers. Evans also organized a 10 a.m. concert featuring the school choir performing a selection of Christmas tunes.

Nemetz said the Santa’s Workshop was new this year. “Volunteer Stephanie Bruce took the idea and, with her usual boundless energy, created the fun and inviting atmosphere and procured the craft materials,” she said. “Kids were able to decorate a paper Christmas tree with sticker ornaments, make mini snow globes, make Christmas ornaments using pipe cleaners and beads, and decorate a sugar cookie with icing and sprinkles.”

Children at the event were given a “Passport” that encouraged them to collect stamps by participating in crafts, watching the parade, and visiting Santa. Upon turning in their completed passports, kids were rewarded with a candy cane and a small project kit donated by Home Depot.

“The Santa’s Workshop feature was such a hit that we ran out of some of the crafts — a testament to its popularity and something to improve upon next year,” Nemetz said. 

View more photos at TheRiverValleyTimes.com.