Santa set to arrive Saturday

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Christmas is coming to town a little early with the Christmas on the Square celebration at the Downtown Plaza on Saturday.
Last year, the event featured activities that lasted throughout the day, the 2020 version will be much simpler according Khala Young of Juste Moi Yoga and Spa, who is hosting the event along with Dirt Road Photography.
Last year’s event featured a number of special events, including a Bavarian brunch, a biergarten, craft vendors, train rides and a number of other activities for children of all ages. However, rain kept the crowds at a minimum.
“We are going with a more simplistic event this year,” Young said. “We can’t do as much this year with everything going on and it was put together last minute.”
The event will begin with a light parade through the square at 5:30 p.m. The event will go until about 8 p.m. with activities such as the Perryville High School choir will sing Christmas carols on the main stage, and the Perryville and St. Vincent bands will combine to have a brass performance.
Hot Chocolate and cookies will be available while antique tractors will be on display in the city parking lot.

The St. Vincent Youth group will also perform a live nativity scene on the courthouse lawn. Santa will also be available for pictures with children.
Local businesses will be set up along the square and hand out treats to the children during the event.
Young said that it was important to her to have the event, especially in 2020.
“This year brought so many changes and I felt that something positive needs to happen this year,” Young said. “COVID may have taken so many things from us this year, but I don’t think it needs to take Christmas too.”
Young reiterated that the event will also have all the precautions necessary to make it as safe as possible.
“We will have hand sanitizer everywhere, whether it’s by the main stage or the tent that Santa will be in,” Young said. The event will be outside and of course everyone can wear their masks. They don’t have to take any of the hot chocolate or cookies if that makes them uncomfortable. We still want the joy of Christmas to be around the square.”