Phineas Festival Brings Holiday Spirit to Downtown Banning

Downtown Banning will get into the holiday spirit Dec. 3 as part of the sixth annual Phineas Festival.

The event, sponsored by the Banning Cultural Alliance, will include light displays, musical performances and the Banning Chamber of Commerce's tree lighting ceremony at the Ring of Honor on the corner of Ramsey and San Gorgonio, according to a news release.

One of the highlights will be two performances by the Living Christmas Tree, featuring members of the LifePoint Church.

The Living Christmas Tree features hundreds of volunteer builders, light and sound technicians and chorus members putting together a 22-foot-tall by 22-foot-wide display for the holiday season. The chorus features 50 adults and 20 children.

“The annual Living Christmas Tree is our free gift to our community,” said Robin Coppage, spokesperson for the church, in a news release.  “We love being part of this community and sharing the joy and hope of Christmas with our families, friends and neighbors.”

Also included in the event will be a free youth craft booth, tours of the downtown area on a fire truck, a snow hill, a living nativity featuring live animals and a visit from Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus.

The festival will be from 3 to 8 p.m., with performances from the Living Christmas Tree at 6 and 7:15 p.m. In the event of rain, performances will move inside LifePoint Church.

Vendors are welcome, all craft items MUST be home made and booths are only $15.

To get to the Phineas Festival of Lights take interstate 10 to Banning, exit 8th Street and follow the signs. For information, call (951) 922-4911.