HOOPESTON — The holiday spirit is beginning to infiltrate the community as Christmas decorations go up around town and the Chamber of Commerce plans a spectacular Christmas festival 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, downtown.

"We just want to bring the Christmas spirit back to the community," said Tami Goin, chamber secretary, "and promote the idea of shopping locally."

Businesses’ special sales will run during the day as the festival begins. The Lorraine Theatre will host a free showing of "Polar Express" at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. and hand out Christmas bells to children attending.

Santa Claus’s arrival is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Rotary Park west of Stebbins Furniture. He will remain there until 4 p.m., giving a small gift to each child. Photos with Santa also will be available at that time for $3 at the park or the United Methodist Church, 403 East Main St., depending on the weather.

The United Methodist Church will host a children’s pajama contest 1-4 p.m. with free cookies and hot chocolate being served.

The final event of the day will be the lighting of Hoopeston’s new 20-foot giant artificial Christmas tree at 5 p.m. complete with Christmas caroling around the tree. The tree will remain in Rotary Park throughout the month of December.

Other events include:

A Christmas wreath silent auction sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce. A minimum bid of $25 has been set for each wreath.

"The wreaths were donated by area organizations and businesses to help the Chamber raise money for community projects," said Loni Gress, chamber wreath chairman. She added that the deadline for bids is Saturday.

Eleven wreaths were donated and are now on display at the following businesses: Sheridan’s TV & Appliances Sales & Service, 224 East Main St.; Cellular One, 301 East Main; Polson Insurance, 218 East Main; The Sewing Boutique, 222 East Main; Edward Jones Investments, 209 East Main; Financial Network, 207 East Main; Do-It-Best/Olympic Hardware, 516 North Dixie Highway; Rod’s Home & Auto Inc., 300 East Main; Fast Lanes Bowling Alley, 719 West Elm; Hoopeston City Hall, 301 West Main; Ira Owen Kreager American Legion Post 384, 502 East Penn; and Stebbins Furniture, 315 East Main.

Wreath donors were Flowers & Gifts by Molly; Schuler’s Greenhouses & Flower Shop; Cellular One; Lucy Zarate and Lacy Benjamin; Louise Barton; City Hall girls; Hoopeston Historical Society; Hoopeston Regional Health Center; Hoopeston Sports Boosters; Ira Owen Kreager; American Legion Auxiliary; Financial Network; and the MultiAgency Teen Reach.

The Hoopeston Chamber of Commerce is offering special incentives on Chamber Bucks. For every $10 purchase of Chamber Bucks, the Chamber will give a $1 Chamber buck free. For a list of participating area businesses, contact Tami Goin at the chamber office, 283-7873.

According to Goin, HRHC sponsored the "Polar Express" movie and donated the Christmas tree, Russell Leigh and Associates donated the bells, Anthem Chevrolet Buick donated funds for the cookies and hot chocolate, and Star Chrysler donated the candy for the Santa’s gifts.

"The Chamber would like to thank everyone for their donations and sponsorship for this first Christmas Festival," Goin said.