Soft whispers of bright-eyed children atop the lap of a true-to-life Old-World Santa, along with holiday classics and the distant click clack of a horse-drawn wagon set the stage for the opening of Dowagiac’s Christmas celebration.

Presented by the Greater Dowagiac Chamber of Commerce and Borgess-Lee Memorial Hospital, the three-part celebration features the Nov. 14-16 Christmas Open House Weekend and family activity day this Saturday; the 100-unit Candle-light Christmas Parade on Friday, Dec. 5; and Small Business Saturday, Nov. 29.

Beginning Friday, shopkeepers throughout the community will present their finest holiday merchandise, special discounts, festive treats and weekend drawings. Specialty shops have extended their hours on Friday until 7 p.m., as shops are open Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. Store hours on Saturday are normal for most locations from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“Borgess-Lee Memorial Hospital and the Chamber of Commerce, as the host of the 2014 celebration, along with our corporate sponsors, invite families and friends to enjoy our grand city during the upcoming Yuletide season,” said Vickie Phillipson, program director of the Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Development Authority (DDA), who coordinated the celebration and raised monies to underwrite the three-part event.

Corporate sponsors include: Burling & Gillesby DDS, Chemical Bank, Clark Chapel, Family Fare, Front Street Crossing, Mahar Insurance The Timbers of Cass County and Vylonis Contracting.

Reminiscent of Dowagiac’s rich history, this year’s holiday marketing campaign features a blonde-haired child, dressed in button-up shoes and cozy, red-trimmed fur, perhaps similar in fashion to a child of the Victorian-era of the mid-1800s to 1901. Phillipson said it was during that timeframe Dowagiac was incorporated first as a village in 1858 and then as a city in 1877.

Old World Santa

The lead character of the Yuletide celebration, which features an array of family activities on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in and around the Beckwith Park, is a true-to-life Victorian Santa. Hailing from his Sinterklaus Farm in Berrien Springs, for nearly two decades this Jolly Ole’ St. Nick has captivated the hearts of Dowagiac children and adults. Phillipson encourages parents to bring their cameras to Wood Fire Italian Trattoria, where Santa will meet with children within the elegant indoor setting of its Pompeii Room.

“When Dick Schinkel, who portrays our Old-World Santa, first joined our celebration, wearing a burgundy cape, complete with wool fleece lining and trim, brocaded vest and knickers, people of all ages marveled at his striking, true-to-character appearance,” Phillipson said. “Children will delight at meeting this rosy-cheeked ole’ gentleman, as they receive a free coloring book, courtesy of our corporate sponsors.”

Phillipson initiated the distribution of complimentary Christmas gifts in 1999, as a means for the host organization and event sponsors to provide something special for area youngsters. On Saturday children can also sign up for Santa’s Drawing that awards two giant gift baskets, brimming in toys and the special invitation to appear with St. Nick in the Dec. 5 Candle-light Parade.

Family Attractions

Children will enjoy petting Holly, a reindeer of Alaskan decent that will be on display from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Beckwith Park. When her owners, Carrie and Joshua Brueck of Country Reindeer Farm first brought Holly to Dowagiac, she was just a year old and was being bottle fed. Since then, Holly has grown up, and has completed training to pull a small pony cart and sleigh.

Also returning to Dowagiac on Saturday is Debbie Peters, who will portray Mrs. Claus. Children can meet Mrs. Claus at Caruso’s Candy Kitchen, where they can make a jingle bell bracelet from 10 to 2 p.m. From 10 to 5 p.m. at Who Knew? Consignment, children will also enjoy Kringle Krafts.

Vocal, instrumental and dance performances at Beckwith Park on Saturday feature the Kari Lynch Band of Grand Rapids, which will perform from 10 to 2 p.m. at the Haggin-Wimberley Memorial Bandstand. Holiday performances will also include members of Positively Dance from 11:30 to 12:15, followed by the Extreme Poms Team of Miss Michele & Co.

Hot chocolate will be served at the Beckwith Park by contestants of the 2015 Miss Dowagiac Scholarship Pageant in keepsake 75th anniversary coffee mugs.

“For your holiday table, we suggest taking home some of the delightful creations presented at the park by Pastry Artist Jordan Anderson of The Baker’s Rhapsody,” Phillipson said.

Craft Show and Interactive Workshops

The hand-made works of area artisans will be featured at Saturday’s 18th-annual crafts show, sponsored by Theta Mu of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Dowagiac Union High School.

“New this year, two interactive workshops will also be held for adults and families,” Phillipson said. The public is invited to celebrate the holidays “Sister to Sister” at Rosy Tomorrow’s, where in-house artisan and owner of Mud-Luscious, Michelle Stambaugh, invites women to bring their best friend, mom, sister or daughter to make a Sister-to-Sister gift or something special for themselves. Participants will pay a nominal $5. The workshop will be held Saturday from 10 to 2 p.m.

Marking the 171st anniversary of the first Christmas card, designed in 1843 by London artist John Calcott Horsley, Mable Hartman will lead an interactive Christmas Card Design Workshop for families at Dowagiac Area History Museum from 11 to 2 pm. Materials will be supplied.

Sweet Tidings

New this year, restaurateurs will bid day-visitors Sweet Tidings, as they offer complimentary bite-size desserts to their patrons. Phillipson said the restaurant promotion places Dowagiac’s fine and casual restaurants front and center for Open House Saturday. Patrons can vote for their favorite dessert from 10 to 2 p.m. as they visit the host sites of Caruso’s Candy Kitchen, Deb’s Café, Foodie’s Fresh Café, Wood Fire Italian Trattoria and The Wounded Minnow.

Gift Card Drawing

Throughout the weekend, shoppers can enter the annual Christmas drawing for Universal Dowagiac Gift Certificates at seven participating locations. In conjunction with the Chamber of Commerce, each site will award a $50 gift card to that store’s winner. Host sites of the drawing include Booth’s Country Florist & Gifts, The Marshall Shoppe, Refine Women’s Consignment, Rosy Tomorrow’s, Shabby Bou-Chic, Vincent J. Jewelers and Who Knew? Consignment.

New this year, at some of these locations, members of Miss Michele & Co., dressed as elves, will greet shoppers and will appear as live storefront mannequins.