The Freitas home featured a 100-plus-piece Snowy Village. Photo by Judy Andrews

GOLD RIVER, CA (MPG) - Hoping to deliver some fun holiday cheer and inspiration, Gold River’s inaugural Holiday Home Tour kicked off last month, exceeding all expectations. 

The tour, presented by local real estate professionals, ran from 4 to 8 p.m. Dec. 6 and featured eight elaborately- decorated homes scattered across several neighborhood villages within the Gold River community. 

At least 200 ticket holders, eager to see what their neighbors had done, showed up with smiles and wide eyes at all the beautiful homes decked out for the holidays. 

Proceeds from the tour’s ticket sales raised $8,000 for Gold River Discovery Center (GRDC) to support its Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) activities. The school, located in the heart of Gold River, serves grades K-8 in the San Juan Unified School District.

The Holiday Home Tour showcased the interior of eight homes in different Gold River communities. Photo by Judy Andrews

Inspired by other Sacramento-area fundraisers, tour founder Tamara Bish created the concept with three goals in mind: “inspire current residents, welcome new and prospective homeowners, and raise essential funds for the school.” 

Bish is also a proud Gold River Discovery Center parent and area Realtor.

“The event offered a rare opportunity to explore the charm and diversity of the different Gold River communities,” Bish said. “Our homeowners and hosts worked hard to make this a fun and festive evening for everyone.”

Dave and Veronica Freitas were among the eight families who opened their homes to the tour. They have been residents of Gold River for 25 years. With its elaborate interior display of Snow Villages, the Freitas’ home was a big hit on the tour.

Here is a closeup of small details on a beautifully decorated dining room table. Photo by Judy Andrews

“We felt it was important to support the school because a good school helps keep the neighborhood thriving,” shared Veronica Freitas, who started collecting village pieces in 1988. Her display now contains about 80 or 90 buildings plus many accessories.

“As a host, I felt a sense of community while meeting new neighbors and greeting old ones,” Veronica Freitas said. “Seeing how much people enjoyed our home and the Snow Villages was truly gratifying.”

The sponsors, homeowners and hosts of the 2024 Gold River Holiday Home Tour wish to thank the community for supporting this inaugural event.