DOWAGIAC — Children and their parents can enjoy Breakfast with Santa from 9 to 11 a.m. this Saturday at the Dowagiac Elks Lodge, as presented by the Greater Dowagiac Chamber of Commerce and the Elks.

The event is a tradition that began 12 years ago, as a way for Elks members to celebrate the holiday season with one another and their children. The visit was opened to the public three years ago.

This year’s breakfast is co-sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce and its underwriters of Dowagiac’s four-part holiday celebration, which also included Christmas Open House Weekend in November, Small Business Saturday and the Candle-light Christmas Parade.

The complimentary pancake and sausage breakfast begins at 9 a.m., followed at 9:15 by the reading of “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas,” presented by David Krueger, Elks exhaulted ruler.

Children and their families will greet Santa at 9:30 a.m. and receive a free coloring book from the chamber and candy from Innovative Fab Inc. Throughout the morning, children will also enjoy cookie decorating and activities.

The event is open free of charge to children, 12 years and younger, and their parents.

Corporate underwriters of the Christmas celebration and the breakfast include: 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.

The breakfast is also sponsored by Holy Maternity of Mary Parish and Dowagiac Knights of Columbus.

For reservations, call the Dowagiac Elks Lodge at (269) 782-3889 or the Chamber at (269) 782-8212.