Soft whispers of bright-eyed children atop the lap of a true-to-life Old-World Santa, along with holiday classics and the distant click clack of a horse-drawn wagon set the stage for the Dowagiac Christmas Celebration.

Presented by the Greater Dowagiac Chamber of Commerce and Borgess-Lee Memorial Hospital, the three-part event features the Nov. 11-13 Christmas Open House Weekend and family activity day Saturday, as well as Small Business Saturday Nov. 26 and the 100-unit Candle-light Christmas Parade Friday, Dec. 2.

Beginning Friday, shopkeepers throughout the community will present holiday merchandise, special discounts, festive treats and weekend drawings. Participating specialty shops have extended their hours on Friday until 7 p.m., as shops are open Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. Store hours on Saturday are normal for most locations, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“Borgess-Lee Memorial Hospital and the chamber of commerce, as the host of the 2016 celebration, along with our corporate sponsors, invite families and friends to enjoy our wonderful city during the upcoming Yuletide season,” said Vickie Phillipson, program director of the Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Development Authority (DDA), who coordinated the celebration and raised monies to underwrite the three-part event.

Corporate sponsors include: Advanced Dermatology, the Business Center of Southwestern Michigan, Casual Tees Inc., Chemical Bank, 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 Timbers of Cass County and Wightman & Associates.

Reminiscent of Dowagiac’s rich history, this year’s holiday marketing campaign features a blonde-haired child, with holly crown, perhaps similar in fashion to a child of the Victorian-era of the mid-1800s to 1901.

Phillipson said it was during that timeframe Dowagiac was incorporated first as a village in 1858 and then as a city in 1877.

The lead character of the Yuletide celebration, which features an array of family activities on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in and around the Beckwith Park, is a true-to-life Victorian Santa.

Hailing from his Sinterklaus Farm in Berrien Springs, for nearly two decades, this Jolly Ole’ St. Nick has captivated the hearts of Dowagiac children, Philipson said. She encourages parents to bring their cameras to Wood Fire Italian Trattoria, where Santa will meet with families within the elegant indoor setting of its Pompeii Room.

“When Dick Schinkel, who portrays our Old-World Santa, first joined our celebration, wearing a burgundy cape, complete with wool fleece lining and trim, brocaded vest and knickers, people of all ages marveled at his striking, true-to-character appearance,” Phillipson said.  “Children will delight at meeting this rosy-cheeked ole’ gentleman, as they receive a free coloring book, courtesy of our corporate sponsors.”

Phillipson initiated the distribution of complimentary Christmas gifts in 1999, as a means for the host organization and event sponsors to provide something special for area youngsters.

On Saturday children can also sign up for Santa’s Drawing that awards two giant gift baskets, brimming in toys and the special invitation to appear with St. Nick in the Dec. 2 Candle-light Parade.

New this year, having appeared at Grand Rapids’ ArtPrize, Whitney Podell, of Dowagiac, will bring her Magic Minis, miniature horses, to the Beckwith Park for families to interact with. Youngsters can also meet a European-styled Mrs. Claus, portrayed by Maggie Richter of Coloma.

Vocal, instrumental and dance performances on Saturday feature David Lloyd and Vicki Vanas, who will perform Christmas classics from 10 to 2 p.m., as Positively Dance takes to the street with its holiday performance at 11:30 a.m.

Hot chocolate will be served at the Beckwith Park by contestants of the 2017 Miss Dowagiac Scholarship Pageant, as MKSODance serves up sweets.

Families can enjoy a horse-drawn wagon ride to and from the Dowagiac Area History Museum, where a free Christmas Card Design Workshop will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. by Mable Hartman, a museum volunteer.

At Dowagiac Middle School the hand-made works of area artisans will be featured at Saturday’s 20th-annual crafts show, sponsored by Theta Mu of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Throughout the weekend, shoppers can enter the drawing to win a $50 Universal Dowagiac Gift Certificate at each of the eight participating locations.   Host sites of the drawing include: the Alpacas of Chambana, Booth’s Country Florist & Gifts, Imperial Furniture, The Marshall Shoppe, Rosy Tomorrows, Vincent J. Jewelers, Who Knew? Consignment and Wounded Minnow Saloon.

Phillipson said several shops are hosting in-store events this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 and 3 p.m.  At Rosy Tomorrows, in-house artisan Jennifer Valentine of Sacred Cake leads a workshop, crafting wreaths from vintage papers.  At Bow Wow Bakery & Bath, holiday pet photos will be taken by Blue Print Photography with proceeds given to a local rescue group.  And, at Who Knew? Consignment, children can participate in Kringle Krafts.

Phillipson said Open House Weekend continues through Sunday, when participating shops are open noon to 4 p.m.

For a full list of activities, visit DowagiacChamber.com or its Facebook page.