A Hometown Christmas

aturday was filled with holiday cheer and fun in the streets and businesses of Tehachapi as myriad activities drew thousands of people to celebrate an early Christmas.

“So many fine local businesses wanted to co-sponsor the Hometown Christmas event. I thank them all,” City Manager Greg Garrett said of the second annual event.

Children started out their day at Breakfast with Santa at the Aspen Builders Recreation Center, then with parents in tow shopped.

Along a closed-off section of Green Street, more than two dozen vendors displayed handcrafted gifts, just right for holiday giving. Family holiday craft making was available in the public library along with a holiday book sale.

The Tehachapi High School Art Club offered items to buy.

An Ugly Christmas Sweater Contest was followed

Sby a demonstration of aerial acrobatics. The movie theater offered free Christmas movies while over at the Tehachapi Depot and Railroad Museum,

Santa stopped by for photo opportunities with children.

Culminating the holiday spectacular was the Christmas Parade, followed

by Santa lighting the town Christmas tree at the Tehachapi Railroad Depot. More than 2,000 visitors were estimated to have enjoyed the day.