Valley holiday home tours support, showcase community

Four homes in the historic neighborhood near Fresno High School will be among those available for viewing during holiday home tours being held across the central San Joaquin Valley this season.

The homes featured in the 20th annual Fresno High Neighborhood Home Tour – three Spanish-style and one Tudor-style dressed in traditional holiday finery – are within a half-mile of one another in an area between Terrace and Brown avenues in central Fresno.

Tickets are $25 for the Monday, Dec. 7, event. The homes will be open from 6 to 9 p.m. Student docents will be posted in the rooms to provide more information about the houses.

Chairwoman Lisa Schumacher says the tour is a great way to appreciate local architecture and Fresno’s historic neighborhoods while also supporting the community.

Most of the proceeds raised support a fund that helps students in need at Fresno High purchase everyday items such as a new coat or gym clothes. Proceeds also are used to do community projects. In the spring, home tour volunteers will donate money to repaint the lampposts in the median along Van Ness Avenue between Shields and McKinley avenues.

Tour tickets can be purchased in Fresno at Gazebo Gardens, 3204 N. Van Ness Blvd.; Top Drawer, 732 W. Shaw Ave.; and The Vintage Market at 601, 601 W. Shaw Ave. In Clovis, tickets are available at Quality Carpets Design Center, 297 Shaw Ave.

Tickets can also be purchased online at brownpapertickets.com or on the day of the event at a home that will be listed on the group’s website and Facebook page.

Other holiday home tours

La Comida Guild Holiday Home Tour: People will be able to tour on their own schedule on Friday, Dec. 4. The La Comida event raises money for Valley Children’s Hospital. Tickets can be purchased at lacomidaguild.org for $35, plus $5 for shipping and handling. A pre-event dinner and boutique at Fort Washington Country Club will be held Thursday, Dec. 3. Tickets are $150 and also can be purchased online.

Visalia’s 11th annual Holiday Home Tour: Noon to 5 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 5. The tour, presented by the Redwood High School band and color guard, begins at Quail Park at the corner of Linwood Street and Cyprus Avenue. Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 the day of the event. They can be purchased online at redwoodrangerband.org, from students or at Redwood Finance Office, White’s Music, Midtown Sports, Miracle-Ear Hearing Center, Chelsea Street Boutique or Copy, Pack & Ship.

Zonta Club of Porterville’s 24th annual Christmas Home Tour: Noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5. Homes for viewing in Porterville and Springville. For tickets and information, call Giovanna DePaoli at 559-784-9697.

This story was originally published November 25, 2015 at 4:15 AM with the headline "Valley holiday home tours support, showcase community."