By Donna Beth Weilenman
Staff Reporter

Cars are being decorated, musicians are tuning up and local clubs, organizations and businesses are getting ready to march down First Street on Saturday in the Benicia Christmas Parade, one of two parades in the city that day.

“We have 32 entries,” said Deborah Meyer, event coordinator at Benicia Main Street, which is organizing the parade and other holiday events.

There may be more — a few have submitted last-minute requests to participate, Meyer said.

Even Santa Claus will make an appearance, though he’s leaving the reindeer at home.

Nor will there be any parade horses, Meyer said.

However, the Bernese Mountain Dog Club will be bringing their large, tricolor Alpine dogs that are large enough to pull carts.

BMW of Concord and Mini of Concord are providing vehicles for the parade dignitaries — Mayor Elizabeth Patterson, Vice Mayor Tom Campbell, Councilmembers Mark Hughes and Christina Strawbridge, Solano County District 2 Supervisor Linda Seifert and state Sen. Lois Wolk, D-Davis.

Unlike some other parades, this one has no grand marshal or floats, Meyer said.

Instead, it will have the Benicia High School Panther Band, representatives of area radio stations, local Scouts and vehicles.

And those will come in all shapes and sizes, from the new models carrying the dignitaries to vintage classics.

Car clubs also are participating, as is a tractor club that Meyer said is planning to send four or five of the farm vehicles up First Street.

Parade entries will compete for trophies and ribbons in their categories, and will be judged by Angela Marchant, Tammy Witham and Karen Horn, whose husband, David Horn, is the parade’s master of ceremonies.

The parade starts at 10 a.m. Saturday at First and D streets, and marches north to H Street.

Afterward, the First Street Holiday Market will give shoppers a chance to buy handcrafted items and gourmet gifts from more than 60 vendors who have assembled in the same area at the foot of First Street where the Certified Farmers Market takes place during its season.

In fact, some of the vendors are Farmers Market participants, Meyer said, though many of the booths will house vendors who are new to Benicia.

Shoppers will be able to select from fine art and photographs, craft items, home decor, gourmet foods and ingredients, bath products, toys and antiques.

Those who want to make some crafts firsthand may do so from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Benicia Capitol State Historic Park, 115 West G St. Docents attired in period clothing will guide park visitors in the making of a Victorian-style ornaments in exchange for a nominal charge.

Visitors also will see and be able to take pictures of St. Nicholas, who will be in the Fischer-Hanlon House that is part of the park. Docents also will serve cookies and cider made at the house’s wood stove.

Santa Claus will be at Benicia Fire Station 11, 150 Military West, from 4-7 p.m. Visitors may get a picture taken with him and receive a free 4×6-inch photograph. Refreshments will be served. Those stopping by are asked to donate a new, unwrapped toy for the fire department’s Toys for Tots drive. Those interested may call 707-746-4275.

The parade up First Street isn’t the only parade in Benicia on Saturday. Another will be on the water.

The Benicia Marina’s 23rd annual Benicia Lighted Boat Parade will begin at 6 p.m. in the marina’s turning basin. Lighted and decorated boats will sail to the First Street Buoy 23 and back.

No entry fee is required, and all boaters are welcome. Participants must register in the marina’s harbor master office. Awards will be given for the best overall decorations as well as best lighted power boat and best lighted sailboat.

To give judges ample opportunity to see the boats, one boat at a time will enter the marina’s turning basin and circle two times slowly in front of the fuel dock, then exit to the strait and follow the lead boat for the parade that will loop back from Buoy 23 and return to the marina.

Awards will be announced after the lighted boat parade.