Holidays a Great Time to Come Downtown

NOVEMBER 2007 - The holidays just got hipper, as the fun moves to DeCarli Waterfront Square (at Channel and El Dorado streets) with Ice on the Delta, which began Saturday, Nov. 24. River City Bank is sponsoring this year’s eight-week outdoor holiday skating event. The new venue will feature concessions, a birthday party tent, and the city’s user-friendly synthetic skating surface (great for the kids – no wet and cold spills!). Admission is $5 per session, including skates. Skate sessions begin every hour, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, and 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Tuesday-Friday.

Tuesdays are Family Fun Days at Ice on the Delta. Family members buy three skate admissions and receive one free skate admission. Wednesdays are Grandparents Day; all grandparents accompanied by their grandchildren skate for free.

On Friday, Dec. 11, it’s Karaoke Night. Dress for the weather, warm up your vocal chords and sing for prizes on the rink during the 7, 8 and 9 pm skate sessions.

On Corny Christmas Sweater Day, Friday, Dec. 21, put on your corniest Christmas sweater and show it off for prizes during the 7, 8 or 9 pm skate sessions.

For 70’s Night, Friday, Dec. 28, put on your disco styles and skate to the groovy sounds of the 1970’s all night long. Prizes for the best 1970’s styles and fashions on the rink will be awarded during the 7, 8 and 9 pm sessions.

A series of high school spirit nights is also planned. Students, faculty and staff of the night’s school will receive half off admission with current school ID during the 7 p.m. session. Skaters will glide to live music provided by local bands. Awards will be given at the end of the event for the highest student body and highest faculty/staff attendance on the rink.

A complete schedule of Ice on the Delta skate sessions and a list of theme nights can be viewed online at: www.stocktongov.com/iceonthedelta.

The 10^th Annual Festival of Lights, on Saturday, Dec. 1, featured the spectacular 27^th annual Delta Reflections Lighted Boat Parade, presented by Marina West Yacht Club. Mayor Ed Chavez and friends “flipped the switch” on the thousands of lights on the City’s official 35-foot holiday tree, at 5:30 pm, triggering a chain reaction which will light the downtown buildings surrounding DeCarli Waterfront Square and the Janet Leigh Plaza. Santa will make his first official visit to downtown as part of the festival  Admission is free. This is a “rain or shine” event, so dress warmly and bring an umbrella.

The Stockton Arena moves into full “holiday mode” when Larry the Cable Guy rolls into the arena on Dec. 13 with his “Eat Drink and Be Larry” tour.

Complete the downtown experience with a delicious meal at one of over sixty authentic eateries, offering everything from Pad Thai and Tacos, to Sake Bombs and Spaghetti. Pick up a copy of the “Shop, Dine & Explore” at the offices of the Downtown Stockton Alliance, at 343 E. Main Street, 1^st Floor of the Cort Tower. Or visit www.downtownstockton.org, www.myspace.com/downtownstockton, and print your own.

Enjoy downtown for a hipper holiday season, because “Now is a Great Time to be Downtown!”