LAKEPORT, Calif. – The eighth annual Dickens’ Christmas Market and Lakeport merchants once again provided residents and Thanksgiving visitors to Lake County with a full day of entertainment, shopping for quality gifts and fun despite some very cold and rainy weather on Nov. 27.

On a stage provided by Piedmont Rock Yard, wonderful entertainers braved the poor weather as they sang for the visitors to the market. Thanks to the efforts of City of Light and Mike Mayo, the entertainment all day and into the evening could be heard throughout the market area.

Many vendors provided a huge variety of gifts and foods.

Melissa Fulton, chief executive officer of the Lake County Chamber of Commerce – which produces the market each year – said that almost 80 vendors had registered for the event. While some who did not appear, most braved the weather to make it a good day for all.

Santa Claus greeted close to 400 children and handed out candy canes donated by Lakeport Grocery Outlet. Santa’s Workshop tent and interior decorations were provided by Sutter Lakeside Hospital, with chamber volunteers putting all the decorations in place for a cozy and dry place to wait for a turn to sit on Santa’s lap.

Fulton stated that well over 400 volunteer hours went into setting up and tearing down for the market. Hilltop Recovery Services were a large part of the efforts this year that brought Dickens’ Christmas Market to fruition.

“Without their assistance I’m not sure what we would have done, as volunteers were very hard to recruit for this holiday event,” said Fulton, adding that an article with all the volunteer’s names will be published soon.

Major financial co-sponsor again this year was the Lakeport Main Street Association.

Carol Hays, executive director for LMSA, also contacted local merchants for the adult treasure hunt prizes, 17 in all.

McDonald’s of Lakeport was the source for prizes for the children entered in the treasure hunt which has become a tradition for many Dickens’ visitors.

For the winners who did not pick up their prizes on Nov. 27, the chamber will be contacting them or mailing their prizes this week.

Merchants' shops were beautifully decorated, warm and inviting to the many market goers all day. The chamber offered its congratulations to Main Street Bicycles on its grand opening and ribbon cutting at 10 a.m. Saturday.

The chamber thanked Holiday Lighted Parade Judges Margaret Silveira, Lakeport city manager, and Kevin Garvey, executive director for Hospice Services of Lake County, and the event's announcer, Danny McIntyre of Lakeport Speedway NCRA.

The chamber also thanked Lakeport Police Chief Brad Rasmussen for leading the parade this year and the Lakeport Fire District for their participation; Eleven Roses Ranch, for the free sleigh rides all day at the Market; Lakeport Public Works Director Doug Grider and his crew, for their assistance with barricades and much more.

The ninth annual Dickens’ Christmas Market will be held on Saturday, Nov. 26.

Holiday Lighted Parade winners are as follows:

• Floats, commercial: first, Kelseyville Lumber; second, Reynolds’ Truck & Crane Inc.; third, tie, RAD Construction and Mendo Mill & Lumber.

• Floats, family group: first, Cobb Mountain Christmas.

• Floats, other: first, Green Ranch.

• Floats, youth: Royal Rangers.

• Vehicles, cars and trucks: first, Lake County As; second, Pat Sperling.

• Vehicles, other: first, Kermit Knudson.

• Groups, organization: first, St. Mary’s Church; second, Green Knights.

• Groups, senior: first, Evergreen Healthcare.

• Grand sweepstakes award: Kelseyville Lumber.