You know the holiday season has arrived when you hear bell ringing by volunteers at Salvation Army red kettles all over town. 

This year the holiday season in Turlock begins Nov. 18 with the 18th annual Kettle Kick-Off Luncheon, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Assyrian American Civic Club, 2618 Golden State Blvd.

Tickets are $20 per seat and guests will be treated to a full Thanksgiving feast from Neto’s and a video presentation of Salvation Army activities, services and fundraising efforts.

The true holiday delight will come when the two winning couples from Dancing with the Turlock Stars show off another set of their dazzling dance moves. Rumor has it that Mirror Ball Champions Jerry Powell and Nicole Gordon-Couto will try and boogie better than Judges Trophy winners Joel Broumas and Amy Shamgochian.

The annual Kettle Kick-Off luncheon helps to get people involved in volunteering with bell-ringing time slots at red kettle locations throughout Turlock. Also, the luncheon is a fundraiser in and of itself as plenty of bells will be ringing for empty kettle pots. During the luncheon, businesses and organizations field teams that compete in a five-minute fundraising frenzy around the room to fill the empty buckets. In years past the frenzy alone has raised nearly $100,000.

Prior to the luncheon businesses and organizations also field teams which try to fundraise as much money as possible for the Salvation Army. In the past some teams have raised more than $15,000.

Tickets can be purchased by calling Kathy Wells of the Salvation Army at 209-667-6091 ext. 207.