Chabad of Solano announces slate of Hanukkah celebrations
Hanukkah kicks off its eight-day celebration on Dec. 18, and as per usual in Solano County, it will all begin with Menorah on Main in Vacaville.
For several years, that was the only major Hanukkah event in Solano. But over time, other cities and agencies have joined in to provide their own festivities, enough to fill out an entire week. This year, Chabad of Solano County will have six nights' worth of celebrating this Jewish tradition, honoring a lamp that miraculously burned for eight days during the rededication of Jerusalem's Holy Temple, despite only having a day's worth of oil.
There will even be some festivities a week beforehand. Chabad of Solano will be hosting a Chanukah Kids Fun Hour this Sunday, featuring games, activities, a choral performance, free doughnuts and latke and cookie-making. The free event is 10:30 a.m. to noon at 730 E. Main St.
The first official celebration is Menorah on Main. The event will feature a juggling light show by Jesse the Juggler, a presentation by children, the serving of latkes and lattes, free dreidels and chocolate gelt, remarks by incoming Mayor John Carli and other elected officials and the lighting of the menorah near the Creekwalk Bridge. Following the lighting, a car parade will lead attendees to the Chabad House for soups and salads and a live performance by Gabriel Guevara, a Bay Area-based multiinstrumentalist who performs everything from Baroque music to hard rock, according to an event flyer. The festivities kick off at 4:30 p.m. Dec. 18 on Main Street.
The second night of Hanukkah, Dec. 19, will be commemorated with another menorah lighting, this time on Travis Air Force Base, featuring live music, singing and dancing, greetings by base officials, and the serving of hot drinks and holiday foods. The event begins at 5:30 p.m. For base security clearance, call the Chabad Center at 592-5300 with your name, date of birth and Social Security number to be added to the guest list.
Dec. 20 will be the 12th annual Chanukah Wonderland at the Jelly Belly factory. At 4:30 p.m., a jelly bean-filled menorah will be lit by elected officials and Jelly Belly CEO Herm Rowland, followed by a menorah parade, musical performance by Solano C-Kids Choir and a performance by Jeremiah the Juggler. From 4 to 7 p.m., families can tour the factory, ride the train to the Visitor Center, take pictures with Judah the Macabbee, do crafts with jelly beans and more. Jelly Belly is located at 1 Jelly Belly Lane, Fairfield.
Dec. 21 will mark the second annual menorah lighting in downtown Fairfield. City officials and county supervisors will preside over the menorah lighting near the county government building, Jeremiah the Juggler will return for a juggling performance, and free latkes, doughnuts and Hanukkah cookies will be served. The festivities stat at 5 p.m. at 675 W. Texas St.
The fifth night of Hanukkah, Dec. 22, will bring two events. The first is a Drive-In Hanukkah outside Vallejo City Hall, where each car will receive a free gift box. There will also be a menorah lighting, music and, of course, Jeremiah the Juggler. This event starts at 5 p.m. at 555 Santa Clara St.
The second event that evening is a menorah lighting at the Suisun City Waterfront, featuring speeches by elected officials and local dignitaries, a juggling light show by Jeremiah, and free hot latkes, doughnuts and cookies. The event starts at 7 p.m. at 701 Civic Center Blvd.
Finally, Chabad Center will be hosting a candle lighting for both Hanukkah and Shabbat, followed by a short service and dinner. The event will begin at 4:15 p.m. Dec. 23 at 730 E. Main St.
For more information on any of these events, call 592-5300 or email Solanorabbi@gmail.com.