The City of Tonganoxie will have its annual Christmas Tree Lighting and Parade this weekend.

The parade will start at 5 p.m. Saturday and will go west along Fourth Street.

At 6 p.m. there will the lighting of the Christmas tree at Tonganoxie Public Library. Youths can also visit Santa Claus inside the library Saturday night.

Grounded Coffeehouse also will be open special hours Saturday to help celebrate the parade and tree lighting. The coffee shop’s winter menu will be featured, as Grounded Coffeehouse will be open 4:30-7 p.m. The shop is across the street diagonally from the library at 304 E. Fourth St.

For more information about entering the parade, call City Hall at 913-845-2620.

McLouth will be having a downtown celebration as well in a few weeks.

The McLouth Merry Christmas Festival will be 4-6 p.m. Dec. 7. New this year will be a downtown business decorating contest. Other attractions include a visit from Santa, food, music and the lighting of trees at Luse Park. For more about the event, see McLouth Happenings on page 3A.

Also in December is the Holly Jolly Hometown Happening at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 18 at 304 Venue (shared building with Grounded Coffeehouse).

Tickets are required for the festive evening. More information can be found on the gathering’s event page on Facebook.

In addition, be sure to check back for information about this year’s Madrigal Feaste, which will be next month at Tonganoxie Middle School.