Amador County – Holiday cheer is abundant in community plans around Amador County starting this week.

Amador City plans its “Calico Christmas” celebration 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, December 4th. Merchants in Amador City host an old-fashioned Christmas Open House, with baked goods and holiday music in the shops all day. A candlelight procession starts at 5:30 p.m., and caroling and a Christmas Tree Lighting follow. For information call 267-1985 or 267-9310.

A “Hanukkah Celebration” is planned by the Foothill Jewish Community Congregation Bnai Israel for Sunday, December 5th in Jackson. The congregation invites all residents of Amador County to celebrate its tradition of Hanukkah at a Hanukkah Party 3-5 p.m. Sunday, December 5th at the Jackson Senior Center, 229 New York Ranch Road.

The festivity includes potato latkes, or pancakes from 3-4 p.m. The “lighting of the fifth candle” is at 4 p.m., and there will be music, songs and children’s stories from 4-5 p.m.

The congregation said all are welcome, especially families. Admission is free, donations are appreciated, and RSVPs are required, by calling (209) 296-4754 or (209) 267-5254.

Next week, Plymouth firefighters will help host a Toy Motorcycle Run sponsored at Foothill Motorcycle, set for 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, December 4th. Amador Fire Protection District Battalion 20 will be cooking hotdogs and hamburgers. Battalion 20 also plans a “Santa Parade” 6:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday, December 9th. They plan to go through town with Santa and collect food and toys from residents. Items collected will be given to needy families in the area. To donate, volunteer or nominate needy families, call Bryan Thornton at (209) 223-0545.

The Ione Business and Community Association plans its annual Christmas Parade and Open House Saturday, December 11th on Main Street. The parade starts at 2 p.m., followed by an Open House.

Santa will be at Pizza Factory for photos, and people can bring their camera. Parade entry forms will be available at City Hall. For information, call Richard Forster at (209) 608-4748.

The Ione Fire Department plans several Santa Parades to different areas of the city in mid-December. Firefighters and their families, and Santa Claus, will visit different neighborhoods with music, candy canes and Christmas wishes.

Ione Fire Department’s Santa Parades will start on December 12 in the area southeast of Main. Dec. 13, it visits the West Marlette area. Dec. 15, it will be on the north side, and Preston Avenue areas. Dec. 16 it visits Edgebrook, and Dec. 17 Castle Oaks, with a make-up rain day Dec. 18.

Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.