Christmas in the Village is Saturday in West Lafayette

WEST LAFAYETTE - When it’s time to kick off the holiday season, nearly everyone in the village of West Lafayette joins forces to celebrate in a special way.

Christmas in the Village is the day many organizers look forward to each year to ring in the season with activities for all families.

“It’s a community festival,” said Jessie Tubbs, a member of the West Lafayette Chamber of Commerce and co-organizer of the celebration. “That’s the reason we live in West Lafayette, because it’s such a beautiful, close-knit community. Everyone works together to make the day special.”

Organizers have an entire day planned to help celebrate the beginning of the holiday season. A pancake breakfast, craft show, holiday parade, hot chocolate and cookies, visits with Santa, airing of the movie “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” and more will bring the holiday spirit to people who come out to participate.

Christmas in the Village will start bright and early with a pancake breakfast by the West Lafayette Lions Club from 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the West Lafayette United Methodist Church at 120 W. Union St.

The annual Club Aries holiday craft show will open at 9 a.m. and continue until 2 p.m. at the First Baptist Church of West Lafayette, 688 E. Main St. Members of the West Lafayette Chamber of Commerce combined efforts with Club Aries several years ago to enhance the annual celebration and bring the village together, said chamber Secretary Christie Patterson. She expects more than 50 vendors this year.

Santa will visit with children and hand out goody bags at the First Baptist Church after he arrives in holiday style during the annual Christmas parade. Lineup will begin at noon behind Ridgewood Middle School, and the parade will step off at 1 p.m. Preregistration to participate in the parade is not required.

The parade route was changed last year to get Santa to the church, Patterson said. In previous years, Santa would visit with children at Burt Park, but the new venue is warm and spacious, she said.

This year, the parade route will wind down Oak Street and Russell Avenue, then travel briefly onto Ohio 751 and around the West Lafayette Branch Library to the First Baptist Church. Parade watchers can stop by the library to warm up and enjoy hot chocolate, cookies and holiday crafts before stopping in to see Santa.

“The kids are so excited, and they can’t wait to tell Santa what they want for Christmas,” Patterson said.

After the parade and visits with Santa, families can eat popcorn while watching “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” at the First Baptist Church. Members of the West Lafayette Homecoming Festival royalty court will be serving hot chocolate.

“A lot of people look forward to this day at the beginning of the Christmas season. There will be a festive, bubbly atmosphere in the village,” Patterson said.

For more information about Christmas in the Village events, contact the West Lafayette Chamber of Commerce at 740-545-9773.