Folsom's Veterans Day Parade November 11

Folsom residents will honor the nation's veterans at the 22nd annual Wayne Spence Folsom Veterans Day Parade starting at 9 a.m. Friday, November 11. The parade stages in the Target/Home Goods parking lot and begins on East Bidwell Street near Montrose Drive. The parade will travel westbound on E. Bidwell Street, northbound on Coloma Street, and will proceed to Natoma Street. The event ends at Folsom City Lions Park with a brief ceremony to honor local veterans at the Veterans Memorial.



The Folsom Police Department will coordinate a temporary closure of all lanes of traffic on East Bidwell Street from approximately 8 to 11 a.m. Natoma Street from Coloma to Wales Drive will close from approximately 9:15 to 11:15 a.m. Closures will be lifted immediately after the parade ends. Detours around the parade will be marked; motorists are encouraged to take Riley and School streets as alternate routes.

This year’s parade lineup includes more than 2,000 participants with marching bands, floats, classic cars, horseback riders, color guards, and a variety of community groups. The parade is held rain or shine; for more information call 916-461-6615 or email tocampo@folsom.ca.us.

Tickets on Sale Now for Holiday Lights at the Folsom Zoo Sanctuary

This annual family event returns for the 12th year with its popular seasonal cheer! Thousands of bright and colorful lights, sparkling ornaments and trees, lighted animal figures, and displays transform the zoo sanctuary with holiday spirit. Local caroling groups and musicians provide the merry sounds of the season, and the Folsom Valley Railway miniature train provides special nighttime rides.

Wild Nights and Holiday Lights is open from 5 to 8:30 p.m. December 2, 3, 9-11 and 16-22 (weather permitting; heavy rains will cancel). All proceeds from the event benefit the zoo sanctuary animals.

New this year: event and train tickets are only available online; no tickets will be sold at the gate. To provide an enhanced experience for guests, admission and train rides are limited each night of the event and tickets for both are date-specific. Event admission is $10/person and train tickets are $5/person; admission and train rides are free for ages under 2 years. Event dates will sell out—early ticket purchase is strongly encouraged.

Follow Facebook.com/FolsomParksandRec for daily event updates, ticket availability, and potential weather-related schedule changes. Call 916-461-6601 with questions.

Folsom Holiday Lights Contest

Let’s light up Folsom with holiday cheer! Enter your home, neighborhood, or business into the Folsom Holiday Lights contest. Categories include:

• Holly Jolly Residence – Best overall residence. 
• Clark Griswold – Best use of holiday lights (residential). 
• Hollywood Christmas – Best use of theme and/or fictional characters (residential).
• Merry and Bright Business – Festive commercial business display (includes window painting). 
• Illuminate the Block – Best multi-house display. 

Register by December 12.

Kids’ Night Out: Holiday Edition

We’ll watch the kids while you get some holiday shopping done, enjoy a date night, or just relax and enjoy a few hours of peace and quiet. Register your kids ages 5-12 for our Kids’ Night Out event at the Andy Morin Sports Complex from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, December 2. Our awesome staff will keep your kids active and entertained – we start the fun with a pizza dinner, then engage the kids in a variety of age-appropriate games, activities, and crafting projects. Fee for Folsom residents is $35/first child and $30/additional siblings (non-residents add $10). Early registration is encouraged; learn more and register online or call 916-461-6601.

Honoring Folsom's Veterans

You may have noticed some special street signs decorated with a gold star and the words "Fallen Veteran" when traveling around Folsom. These beautiful, hand-made Gold Star street signs honor Folsom veterans who died in combat. The 76 signs located throughout our community identify city streets named for Folsom veterans. There's also a stone monument at Folsom Public Library etched with the names of some of our fallen heroes.

Volunteer Opportunity: Tree Planting Event

You’re invited to join the City of Folsom’s Urban Forestry Department and the Sacramento Tree Foundation for a tree planting event from 8:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday December 3. Volunteers will plant trees at Folsom Garden Apartments, helping to provide the benefits of a thriving urban canopy for all to enjoy. Trees enhance neighborhoods and help make our communities more livable and lovable!

This event is free and the whole family is welcome to volunteer; pre-registration is mandatory to participate. Find more information and register online. Contact the Folsom NeighborWoods Project coordinator Kimmy Lahr at 916-974-4325 or by email with questions.

Gardening Program at the Folsom Public Library

Join Pam Bone, UC Lifetime Master Gardener and Landscape Horticulturalist from noon to 1 p.m. Saturday, November 12 to learn about gardening in Folsom. Pam brings a wealth of knowledge and practical hands-on gardening experience to share with the audience. Learn how to grow healthier plants and landscapes through proper planting, fertilizing, staking, pruning, and watering. This is a free program presented by the Folsom Public Library and the UC Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners.

Applications for Commission and Committee Positions Accepted Through November 14

The City of Folsom has long benefited from the active involvement of residents in many civic activities. One of the many ways that our residents can be involved is by serving on one of the city’s commissions and committees. There are a variety of opportunities available, and residents are encouraged to take part in helping to develop city programs. Find more information on the available opportunities and applications online. Applications are due November 14.

Evening Seminar: Nature-Deficit Disorder

Learn about the healing powers of nature

Join presenter John Seivert and discover just what nature-deficit disorder is and why it’s so important. As the owner of a physical therapy business, John has spent his entire professional career helping people heal and achieve their goals. He has an infectious excitement for getting—and staying—healthy. He is a true believer of more green-time and less screen-time! You’ll come away from this lively and fascinating presentation with a new passion for the healing powers of nature.

The presentation will be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Monday, November 7 at the Rotary Clubhouse, 7150 Baldwin Dam Road. Pre-registration is mandatory; the fee is $5/person and ages 16 through adult are welcome to attend. Learn more and register; call 916-461-6601 with questions.

Lead Hazard Reduction Program

The Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency (SHRA) has grant funding to help property owners mitigate lead paint repairs. The Lead Hazard Reduction Grant Program is geared toward removing lead-based paints in homes built before 1978. Lead-based paints can cause serious health issues, especially to young children. Grants available through the program can be as high as $10,000 per housing unit located within Sacramento County. Recipients of the program must meet income or occupant requirements regardless of whether the unit is owner-occupied or a rental. To apply, visit the SHRA website, email leadfunds@shra.org, or call 916-440-1317.

Looking For a Job? We’re Hiring!

Folsom Parks & Recreation is hiring for a variety of part-time jobs, including groundskeepers/maintenance workers and guest services staff for the Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary, park aides, sports scorekeepers and monitors, recreation leaders, and more. Find job descriptions and applications online.

Holiday Break Sports Camps

Registration is open for tennis and basketball camps that take place over the Thanksgiving week school break. Find details and register online or call 916-461-6650 for more information.

City of Folsom Holiday Closures November 11

City administrative offices will be closed Friday, November 11 in observance of Veterans Day. For urgent city issues, call 916-461-6400. Call 9-1-1 for life-threatening emergencies.



• Garbage service will be provided as usual; please place your cans curbside by 6 a.m. on your regular day of service.
• Transit services will be available through the Folsom Stage Line operated by SacRT.
• The Folsom Public Library will be closed November 11, reopening 10 a.m. November 12.
• The Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary is open regular hours from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Veterans and active military can receive free admission on this day with valid military I.D.
• The Andy Morin Sports Complex is open regular hours, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• The Steve Miklos Aquatic Center is open regular hours for lap and recreation swim.
• The FIDO Field Dog Park will be open from 7 a.m. to one hour after sunset.
• The Folsom Skate and Bike Parks are open from 1 to 5 p.m.
• The Folsom Senior Center, Folsom Art Center, and Gallery at 48 Natoma are closed.
• Fun Factory, Kindergarten Readiness, and the after-school CAVE programs are closed.