A special visitor will be coming down the chimney at the Dowagiac Elks Lodge Saturday.

The local service organization hosts its annual “Breakfast with Santa” event at 9 a.m. that morning at its clubhouse, located at the corner of Hill Street and Riverside Drive in Dowagiac. Children and parents are invited to the event, which will feature a free pancake and sausage breakfast, several activities and a special visit by the man in red himself.

Santa Claus’ annual stop by the Elks Lodge was a former tradition organized by club members in the 1980s, and was resurrected around five years ago to allow a new generation of children to participate in the fun, said organizer Megan Johnson.

“I remember visits by Santa as a kid,” Johnson said. “It was a tradition we all wanted to bring, especially now that I am older and have kids of my own.”

Initially brought back as a small, evening gathering focused on decorating Christmas cookies, club members switched the Santa visit to the morning three years ago. Last year, organizers began promoting the event to the public, which resulted in a turnout of around 40 children last year, Johnson said.

“It was amazing to be able to do something like this for the community, for free,” she said.

This year is on pace to surpass last year’s attendance, with around 30 families already expressing interest in attending, Johnson said.

The morning will begin at 9 a.m. with breakfast, which will be prepared by around a dozen volunteers working in the Elks’ kitchen. At around 10 a.m., Santa will arrive, and will talk with the children and allow parents to get pictures taken with him and the children.

In addition, children will have a chance to decorate Christmas cookies, make crafts and enjoy hot chocolate during the morning.

With many families having to drive out of town to a crowded mall to find Santa Claus for their children to talk to, this event brings something important to Dowagiac, Johnson said.

People are asked to RSVP for Saturday’s event by calling Johnson at (269) 591-2144.