A full day of family fun and shopping will usher in the Christmas season this Saturday on Fayette’s historic courthouse square. 

Downtown Fayette, formerly Fayette Main Street, hosts the Fayette Festival of Lights all day, culminating with the ever-growing lighted Christmas parade around the square that evening. Downtown restaurants will welcome hungry customers, along with a few food trucks on Davis Street on the north side of the square.

There will be plenty of shopping all day. Stores open around 10 a.m. around the square. There will also be a return of the Country Christmas Craft Show in the soon-to-be new Mac’s location at 108 South Main Street.

The Kids Market returns from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Young entrepreneurs from around Howard County will set up shop in Tricky Fish Community Room at 114 South Main Street, across from City Hall.

Kids will have two chances to deliver their Christmas wishes to the man in red this year. Santa Claus will be available for pictures from 2 until 4 p.m. at The Attic at 201 North Main Street. After the parade, he will greet families at the bandstand until 7 p.m.

Fayette Parents as Teachers will host holiday kids’ crafts inside the Fayette Laundromat on the southeast corner of the square from 3 until 5 p.m. Last year’s activities included making countdown-to-Christmas calendars.

Smore’s will be offered at Henry’s Ice Cream shop from 4 until 5:30 p.m. on North Main Street.

The Fayette Chamber of Commerce will host its annual Hot Cocoa Competition from noon until 4 p.m. Participating businesses include Fireside Bakes & Brews, Sweet Faye Boutique, Keystone Chiropractic, The Gym, Ma’s Discount Hooch, G.G. Smith & Son, Ophelia’s Flowers, Gold Apple Boutique, Mae’B Boutique, Red Dirt Rag Co. with Coyote Hill Foster Care, T.J. Diner, and Henry’s Ice Cream. Free four-ounce pours, scorecards, and maps are available from any of these vendors.

The day will conclude with the annual Lighted Christmas Parade at 5:30 after the sun goes down. So far, 25 participants have signed up. Entries will be accepted until the parade kicks off. The parade route will begin from Elm Street onto North Main Street where it will proceed for two blocks. It will then turn right (west) onto East Morrison Street for one block before heading north on Church Street. 

See map on advertisement on Page 3.