SANTA AND MRS. CLAUS will arrive at Christmas in Florence at 10:30 a.m. Saturday.

FLORENCE, Wis. — The 10th annual Christmas in Florence event will be 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Florence County High School.

Visitors can support local crafters, entrepreneurs and non-profit groups by shopping for unique, gifts, food items, crafts and other home-based specialty items from more than 90 vendors in the gymnasium and main hallway.

Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive at 10:30 a.m. Kids can sit on Santa’s lap and hear a story from Mrs. Claus in the cafeteria.

Red and white homemade chili, hot dogs, smoked shredded turkey sandwiches, chips, drinks and home-baked cookies will be for sale in the cafeteria. Proceeds from the kitchen fund a variety of Chamber of Commerce community projects.

Kids can create their own free Christmas craft projects with help from the Florence High School volunteer TORPEDOS group in the art room just off the mail hall.

New this year, the Florence County Sheriff’s Department is sponsoring a “Fill the Cruiser” with non-perishable food items that will be donated to the local food pantry.

To further get in the Christmas spirit, take a break in the auditorium to enjoy a variety of free performances, including music, dance and drama.

The schedule includes: 10-10:30 a.m., FHS Jazz Band; 10:30 to 11:45 a.m,, UP Dance Academy performing scenes from “The Nutcracker”; and noon-12:30 p.m., the FHS/GHS Drama Club will perform a sneak peek of its play, “The Nick of Time Christmas Show”. The FHS Choir also will carol around the event venue in the morning as well.

This event is free and offers many door prizes to win. Sponsors to thank for the event include mBank, WIKB/WFER Radio and the Florence County Chamber of Commerce.

For more information, click on “events” at www.ExploreFlorenceCounty.com.