During the cold winter nights, the colorful Christmas lights on homes around town bring warmth to the hearts of passers-by. Each decorated house, big and small, has its own charm – front lawns filled with Santa Claus balloons and figures, brightly lit reindeer, colorful candy cane lights, and even cartoon penguins and bears. Some homes have lights overflowing their rooftops and trees, and some have their lights dance to the tune of Christmas carols. Cars slow down in amazement, smiles on their occupants’ faces, as they gaze at the festive decorations. Here are the photos from some of the houses Kalyn Ruijters and I took around our neighborhoods – East Sacramento, South Sacramento, and El

Folsom residents saluted its 11th annual Folsom Veterans Day Parade this past Friday. Parade participants gathered at the Target parking lot on Blue Ravine Road and made their way towards City Lions Park. The theme for this year’s celebration was “Saluting our Newest Generation of Warriors: Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.” Thousands watched the parade as representatives from the armed forces, the City of Folsom, scout groups, community organizations and residents participated in honoring those who have served our country. Over 2,000 participants were involved in the parade. Representatives from various JROTC, ROTC, beauty pageants, youth sports and high school

On July 4th, citizens braved the hot weather to attend the Carmichael Elks’ 53rd annual parade along Fair Oaks Boulevard in Carmichael. People of all ages lined the streets, and most wore the traditional red, white, and blue and waved American flags. The parade was led by two California Highway Patrol cruisers followed by two Sacramento Fire Department vehicles, all with lights, sirens and American flags. Several queens and princesses of various municipalities rode in vintage cars. San Juan Unified School District sponsored two school busses, and P.O.W./M.I.A. and The Daughters of the American Revolution Daughters of the Revolution (dressed in vintage dresses), were also parade participan

Rain? What rain? A tidal wave wouldn't have stopped people from showing up to the 27th annual Sacramento Pride parade and party last Saturday at the Capitol Mall. The area was bookended by the gorgeous Tower Bridge at one end and the State Capital at the other end, a great backdrop for the Pride celebration. Sacramento's 2011 Pride parade and party lasted from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 4, 2011. Both 3rd and 7th streets were reserved for the festivities which included vendor booths, a live entertainment stage, an area for a diverse selection of food and a dance tent. This year’s entertainment schedule included acts such as Miss Coco Peru, Raquela, Tom Goss, Luciana, Jovi Radtke a

Gaelic music filled the air of St. Stephen the First Martyr Parish Tuesday afternoon as the St. Patrick’s Pipe Band of Sacramento prepared for the festivities of the upcoming week. Youths ranging in age from 8 to 18 practiced everything from marching to timing and rhythm in preparation for St. Patrick’s Day performances at schools and the city’s parade on Saturday, March 12. The holiday holds a special significance for Sacramento-area Catholics, said Band Manager Matthew White. “St. Patrick is a co-patron of the Diocese of Sacramento,” he said. “When we formed back in 2005, we wanted to start something for Catholics, and we had a lot of interest (in a bagpipe band).” Despite being chie

The 37th annual Sacramento Jazz Festival & Jubilee marched in today with a parade through Old Town Sacramento. The parade teased onlookers with a taste of the sights and sounds of this year’s Memorial Weekend event. Visitors to the festival can expect about 70 bands playing traditional Dixieland-style jazz, blues, mariachi, Latin jazz, swing, marching band music, zydeco, ragtime and rockabilly in more than 450 sets of live music, according to the event organizers. Advertised special events include a pianorama, Sunday Gospel service and, if you’re feeling that you can never hear enough ribbed metal percussion, there is even a Monday washboard concert.  

        Sacramento has a lot of great things happening for St. Patrick's Day and we wanted to Highlight just a few for you.  Come and celebrate St. Patrick's Day week with de Vere's Irish Pub and a few of our close friends! SATURDAY MARCH 13TH-   DE VERE’S PUB- JOIN US FOR ST. PRACTICE DAY with $4 Tullamore Dew and $1 off draught beers from 4-8pm   OLD SACRAMENTO’S PARADE- Celebrate with your entire family at Old Sacramento’s 14th annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Enjoy the parade, Irish food, and their new beer gardens! For more information CLICK HERE!   SUNDAY MARCH 14TH-   DE VERE’S PUB- JOIN US FOR BRUNCH before, during and after the Shamrock’n half Marathon. We will have brunch

Old Sacramento, a 28-acre historic landmark and state historic park, will hold it’s 14th Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade & Festival on Saturday, March 13, 2010. New to this year’s event: a new date, a new time and a new parade route. The 2010 event will also include a Celtic festival in Waterfront Park (1000 Front Street) from noon – 6:00 p.m. featuring Irish music, dancing, food and a green beer garden. A number of vendors will be on hand to peddle their Celtic wares. Always a free event, the parade steps off from a new location (2nd & L Streets) promptly at 1:00 p.m. and proceeds throughout the historic district. Over 60 units, with more than 1,000 marchers, will delight the Irish and

The First Annual Sacramento Parade of Lights began at 17th and Capitol on Saturday evening.  An eclectic group of participants and onlookers crowded the mile-long route. For larger-sized images please visit: anthonybento.com

Thanksgiving normally brings family and friends together around the dinner table, but only a Sacramento Thanksgiving brings them together around the Capitol Mall roundabout, whooping and yelling on bicycles. Give thanks for the Appetite Enhancement Bike Ride. The annual underground bicycle parade attracted over 500 people to the California Stage early Thursday morning. R and 25th streets were littered with road bikes, penny-farthings, low-riders, vintage cruisers, every bike imaginable, plus a giant toaster mobile. DJ Larry Rodriguez' international beats and raffle ramblings rang out over the block. What started out as a casual ride with a dozen bikers 21 or 22 years ago — no one can rea

                         Tom Ford and his daughter Kennedy prepare their front yard anticipating the July 4th parade that goes down their East Sac street. The block party along 41st St. starts at 10am. Ford built a 400 sq. ft stage in front of his front porch which will host the band Q-Balls. Behind the red, white and blue post is a cantina which will serve drinks. Parade begins at 11am.                                       Ford's neighbor Joe Riehl delivers the signs for Tom's cantina. In the bed of the pickup is a ping-pong table for tournaments after the parade. A taco eating contest will take place nearby. Riehl says he and Ford are the "unofficial" co-chairs of the parade.      

It’s 9:43 a.m. Saturday, June 20, and the participants of the 2009 Sacramento Pride Parade are still stationary; onlookers begin to gather on L Street alongside Capitol Park. Winding her way through the various spectators, Sacramento native Rose Brun passes out flowers. “I’ve been doing this since 1974,” she says, doling out a cala lily, “When I was younger, friends lost their jobs by being gay, but every year it gets better. Stuff like this brings us together. We need to break down barriers. ” Breaking down barriers—a lot of balloons, music, dancing and good vibrations—seemed to be one of the parade’s objectives as it made its way from L Street through the downtown district to Sacrament

Here are some shots from today's Pride parade. Please watch for another titled Scenes from Sac Pride Festival. Photos | Kati Garner