MINERVA – Minerva’s historic North Market Street will be transformed into a Downtown Wonderland on Saturday, Dec. 6, 3 to 6 p.m., with a wide variety of free Christmas treats, crafts, activities, music and more, as well as the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus.

The Christmas parade will step off at 3 p.m. from Minerva Elementary School, proceeding up Bonnieview, to Line Street, to North Market Street, and ending in the Minerva Schools bus garage parking lot.

Santa and Mrs. Claus will come to town with the parade and will then hear Christmas wishes and pose for free pictures in the Roxy Theatre, 114 N. Market St. Photography, photo printing and mailing will be donated by Real Integrity Real Estate Services Agent Brandy Berry.

Treat trees sponsored by area businesses and organizations and loaded with goodies for children to take, will line the street. The treat trees will be covered until after the parade and are intended for children only. Parents are asked to limit their children to one treat from each tree.

The Minerva Community Band will play at 2:30 pm, the East Canton High School Choir will perform at 3:30 p.m., and the Minerva High School Choir, at 4 p.m.

Available at downtown locations will be hot chocolate, cookies, s’mores, and other snacks; free hot dogs and hot chocolate for kids from Walker’s Cafe; cookie decorating sponsored by Kishman’s IGA, an ice-carving demonstration, bowling sponsored by Minerva Bowl, a take-your-own-photo booth, face painting and temporary Christmas tattoos, make-and-take crafts from Minerva Public Library, writing letters to Santa, a scavenger hunt, “train” rides from Minerva FFA, free books from the Minerva Teachers Association, a Christmas card tree provided by Minerva Mission, and much more. A map of all activities will be available the day of the event and on Facebook.

Each Minerva Elementary student is encouraged to find his ornament on the village Christmas tree or downtown.

Free raffle tickets will be distributed to children during the event, and one lucky child will win a sled full of toys donated by Real Integrity Real Estate Services, as well as the opportunity to light the Christmas tree with Santa in Mayor’s Park at the corner of Main and West Line streets. The winning ticket will be drawn following caroling at the tree, beginning at 5:30 p.m., and the winner must be present.

For information, contact the Minerva Area Chamber of Commerce, 330-868-7979 or nathan.meadows@minervachamber.org.