Things are going to be very festive in Webster City on Saturday as local businesses, the city of Webster City, the Chamber of Commerce and other community organizations collaborate for Christmas in the City.

At various venues around the community, local residents will have an opportunity to meet Santa, experience a pioneer Christmas, hike the trails in search of candy canes and hear a reading of the holiday classic, “A Christmas Carol.”

Santa will be a busy guy on Saturday. He starts off the morning with Breakfast with Santa from 9 to 11 a.m. at Hy-Vee. Then he’ll meet with kids to hear wish lists and have photos taken at the Wilson Brewer Park from 11 to 1 p.m. Be sure to check out the renovated log cabins, the Harmony School, the Mulberry Center Church and the Illinois Central Caboose — all of which will be open for touring.

Back downtown, a free Christmas movie, “Elf,” will be shown at the Webster Theater beginning at 1 p.m. Tickets are available at the Chamber office.

The movie might give parents a chance to slip away for some Christmas shopping at our local retailers. There’s still plenty of time to Shop Locally this holiday season.

The Webster City Community Theatre will give voice to Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” at 3 p.m. in the Mulberry Center Church at Wilson Brewer Park. The church, all decorated for Christmas, will offer a warm spot to sit and listen to the tale.

The Jane Young House will be open for people to see the historic home of Jane and Kendall Young from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The house is fully decorated for Christmas and there are new displays in the Vintage Clothing Exhibit. There’s no charge for the tour on Saturday.

Warm up with a bowl of chili served by the American Legion and then get ready for the lighted Christmas parade through downtown Webster City at 5 p.m. The tree in Availa Bank Plaza will be lit at 6 p.m..

A concert of holiday music will be presented by the Webster City Community Chorus at 7 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church. And cap off the day by touring the holiday light display at the Hamilton County Fairgrounds.

The Daily Freeman-Journal applauds the efforts of the Chamber of Commerce who coordinated the plans for the special event. We encourage the community to come out and enjoy the festivities.

The past two years have been difficult for everyone, and this celebration is a great way to share a bit of holiday cheer with our friends and neighbors.