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 this weekend’s Dowagiac Christmas Celebration.

Presented by the Greater Dowagiac Chamber of Commerce and Borgess-Lee Memorial Hospital, the four-part event features the upcoming Christmas Open House Weekend, highlighted by the family activity day this Saturday; Small Business Saturday Nov. 25, the 100-unit Candle-light Christmas Parade on Friday, Dec. 1, and new this year, Breakfast with Santa on Saturday, Dec. 16, at the Dowagiac Elks Lodge.

Beginning Friday, shopkeepers throughout the community 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 2017 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, who coordinated the celebration and raised monies to underwrite events.

Corporate sponsors of the celebration are: The Business Center of Southwestern Michigan, Casual Tees Inc., Chemical Bank, Clark Chapel/Starks Family Funeral Homes, Cass County COA/Front Street Crossing, Dowagiac Area Federal Credit Union, Dowagiac Area History Museum, Edward Jones’ Office of Kim MacGregor, John A. Vylonis Custom Building, Mahar Insurance, The Marshall Shoppe, May Oberfell Lorber, The Timbers of Cass County and Vincent J. Jewelers.

Reminiscent of Dowagiac’s rich history, the holiday marketing campaign features a blonde-haired child, with holly crown, 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.

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, young and old 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. 1 Candle-light Parade.

Returning for her second year, Whitney Podell, of Dowagiac, will bring her Magic Minis, miniature horses, to the Beckwith Park for families to interact with. Youngsters will also meet a European-styled Mrs. Claus, portrayed by Maggie Richter of Coloma.

Vocal, instrumental and dance performances at Beckwith Park on Saturday feature David Lloyd and Vicki Vanas, who will perform Christmas classics from 10 to 2 p.m., as Positively Dance takes to the street with its holiday performance at 11:30 a.m.

Hot chocolate and tempting sweets will be served by MKSODance, with members of Dowagiac Young Professionals selling their limited-edition Christmas ornaments.

Families can enjoy a horse-drawn wagon ride to and from the Dowagiac Area History Museum, where a free Christmas Card Design Workshop will be hosted from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. by Mable Hartman, a museum volunteer.  At Who Knew? Consignment, children can also participate in Kringle Krafts from 10 to 3 p.m. with holiday pet photos taken by Blue Print Photography at Bow Wow Bakery & Bath until 2 p.m.

At Dowagiac Middle School the hand-made works of area artisans will be featured at Saturday’s 21st annual crafts show, sponsored by Theta Mu of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Throughout the weekend, shoppers can enter the drawing to win a $50 Universal Dowagiac Gift Certificate at each of the 12 participating locations. These sites include:  The Baker’s Rhapsody, Booth’s Country Florist, Imperial Furniture, The Marshall Shoppe, Mud-Luscious, Olympia Books, Rosy Tomorrows, Shabby Bou-Chic, Who Knew? Consignment, Vincent J. Jewelers, Yarn on Front and Dowagiac’s newest specialty shop, Deck the Halls, which opens this week on Commercial Street.

Phillipson said Open House Weekend continues through Sunday, when participating shops are open noon to 4 p.m.  Miss Dowagiac 2016 Anne Zebell will be on hand Sunday, caroling from shop to shop with Emily Clark, also of Dowagiac.

For a full list of activities, visit DowagiacChamber.com or its Facebook page.