EMPORIUM — Cameron County residents are gearing up for the Christmas in the Wilds celebration, set to take place Saturday.
The event begins at 9 a.m. and features a parade, craft and gift vendors, hot foods and beverages and fun for the whole family.
Breakfast with Santa will be held at the Emporium Firehall from 9 till 11 a.m. At noon, the annual Christmas Parade will be held, featuring Santa, the Cameron County High School Marching Band, the Girl Scouts, St. Mark Catholic Church and local emergency services agencies.
In the Chamber, wood-product artist Mahlon Davenport and Helen Nawrocki of Bear Mountain Herbs will be set up, along with Lularoe vendor Maggie Smith.
A number of hot food options will be provided. The Emporium Rotary will serve chili. Pap Pap’s Smokehouse will sell hot sausage and pulled pork sandwiches. Hot soup by the cup or a container from home will be sold by the Cameron County High School Raider Boys’ Hoop Club. St. Mark’s CD of A will have hot coffee and baked goods.
For gifts, handmade jewelry will be sold by Gloria McIsaac. Open-your-own-Oysters containing pearls will be sold by Crystal Earle. Saint Hilda’s Guild will sell their famous cookie trays, and the Cameron County Drama Club will sell mugs filled with salsa, jam and seasoning mixes. Alpaca Creations will have hand-made alpaca wool items for sale.
Tickets will be available for a basket contest to benefit the basketball program for fourth, fifth and sixth grade boys. More than thirty baskets and items will be available, including a number of gift certificates for area businesses and baskets filled with campfire items, coffee, candles, Mary Kay or Posh products, turkey calls, grilling items, Steelers memorabilia, Rich Valley Apiary or Scentsy products, Storm Cheerleading, Fox’s Pizza and Sheetz items.
Tickets are eight for $5, and they are available for purchase through noon on Saturday.
The Merry Music Makers will entertain visitors at the Aroma Café from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.
As part of the festivities this year, the Cameron County Chamber of Commerce and L&M Lumber will sponsor a house decorating contest. Interested participants can enter their home in the competition for $5, and residents and visitors can vote on their favorite home by picking up a map and ballot from the chamber. Ballots will also be available in local newspapers.
Ballots cannot be reproduced; only the originals will be accepted. House lights will be on from 6 to 9 p.m. nightly. All voters must turn in their ballots by 4 p.m. on Dec. 17. Prizes will be awarded after the votes are tallied.
Voters are being asked to take a selfie in front of their favorite house and post it to social media with #CameronCountyDeckedOut in the hopes the event will “go viral” online.
Voting is currently open for the business decorating contest. This year, businesses were asked to create holiday-themed decorations from recycled automobile tires. Shoppers can visit the Chamber to pick up a ballot and vote for their favorite decorations. The winning business will be awarded with a free Chamber membership for the coming year. Last year’s winner was Singer’s Auto. Entries will also be posted on the Chamber’s Facebook and Twitter feeds.
More information on Christmas in the Wilds is available on the Cameron County Chamber of Commerce and Artisan Center website.
