CLOVIS, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – Candy Cane Lane lights up the neighborhood with elaborate displays, food vendors, and holiday crowds – but this year, it’s also lighting up social media after videos showing confrontations between a woman, homeowners, and vendors went viral.
“We had the tacos out here, and when my dad came home, he had come in and told me that, like, the lady came over and yelled at the guys, and I was like, ‘That’s so crazy,’” the neighbor with the viral video, Clarissa Swiridoff, said.
That interaction gained more than 600 thousand likes.
“The next day, when my dad was out here, she came, and she yelled at him too then. So when he showed me the footage, I was like, ‘That is unneighborly to act like that,’” Swiridoff said.
Another TikTok video with over 5,000 likes shows the same person confronting a different neighbor.
“She voiced her opinion very aggressively. I acknowledged her. I understand the situation,” neighbor and vendor Maria Ballesteros said.
According to both neighbors, the confrontation happened on Dec. 14.
“Nobody else has complained. There’s a way to work on delivery, and we all can come together as a community and enforce a safety plan together,” Ballesteros said.
However, Swiridoff said she understands the complaint, saying the taco truck was on the street.
“They were on the side of the road. My dad left his Tahoe in the driveway, and he was rushed to the hospital. So there wasn’t space,” Swiridoff said.
Clarissa’s dad is okay, but she wishes the situation had been handled better.
“If she could have come to us and been like, ‘Hey, that was so crazy, guys.’ But her reaction was just out of left field,” Swiridoff said.
Vendors have been a staple of Candy Cane Lane, and visitors said they look forward to grabbing a sweet or savory treat among the lights.
“I enjoy it very much. Keeps the body warm and the spirits up, and it just makes us feel good,” attendee Veronica Garcia said.
The City of Clovis said food trucks and vendors aren’t allowed on roadways – only on sidewalks, driveways, and private property. Homeowners said they hope holiday cheer prevails.
“I wanted to help out all the small businesses because this year has been rough for everybody,” Swiridoff said.
