RAPID RIVER — Residents will be able to get ready for the holidays and support local businesses at the 46th annual Christmas in Rapid River event today. The theme of this year’s event is “Candy Cane Christmas.”

Local merchants will celebrate Christmas in Rapid River from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sales and door prizes will be offered, bake sales and craft shows will take place, hay rides will be offered throughout the day and luncheon specials will be available.

The lighting of the Christmas tree will take place at 5 p.m. Afterwards, a group will go to Lakeview Assisted Living & Memory Care in Gladstone for Christmas caroling.

A bazaar will be held at Rapid River’s senior center from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Homemade crafts and baked goods will be available, along with free drawings, concessions and visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Attendees are asked to bring a non-perishable food item for community gift baskets.

The Rapid River Congregational Church will offer an old-fashioned holiday dinner — as well as crafts, baked goods and raffles — from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. There is a cost for the dinner, but children under the age of 5 eat free.

The Village Salon will have a Christmas open house from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Prizes, refreshments and makeup touchups will be available at the open house, as well.

For more information on Christmas in Rapid River, call 474-9296.