’Tis the season

It may be cold outside, but the city of Sparks hopes to warm your insides with its annual Sparks Hometowne Christmas. The free holiday event marks its 20th year with a parade, entertainment and a Christmas tree lighting ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 2. The parade begins at 1 p.m., runs along Victorian Avenue and features grand marshall Daniel “Rudy” Ruettiger, the subject of the 1993 film Rudy. The Reno District Firefighters Pipe Band performs at 3 p.m. on the main stage, followed by the Reno Irish Dance Company, which will present its original production, A Celtic Christmas, at 3:15 p.m. Between acts, children can create holiday-themed arts and crafts and write their Christmas wish lists to Santa Claus at the Sparks Amphitheater. Or kids can go to the source himself when the jolly old elf drops by with Mrs. Claus at Santa’s Castle, located inside the Glendale School House. The day’s festivities conclude with the lighting of the Christmas tree at 5 p.m. All events take place at Victorian Square in downtown Sparks. Call 353-7856 or visit www.sparksrec.com.