This year’s Christmas in the Village, organized by the U.P. Steam and Gas Engine Association, will be active 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday in the Upper Peninsula State Fairgrounds’ Antique Village.

The annual Christmas parade in downtown Escanaba, hosted by the Downtown Development Association, will begin at 6 p.m. Friday.

More than 60 local participants will assemble around Escanaba City Hall at 410 Ludington St. between 5 and 5:30 p.m., with the parade officially kicking off at 6 p.m. from the corner of Ludington and Fifth streets.

“With the new and returning participants filling the lineup, this will be a stellar parade,” DDA Trustee Janice Beauchamp said.

Residents can shop from local artisans and crafters, enjoy carols and visit with Santa at this year’s Christmas in the Village, organized by the U.P. Steam and Gas Engine Association. The event will be 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday in the U.P. State Fairgrounds’ Antique Village. (Daily Press file photo)

Parade participants can end at the Upper Elementary School parking lot by going down First Avenue North from Stephenson Avenue or continue by turning up to First Avenue North. The DDA has organized prize money for floats participating in the parade. Deadline to register for the parade was Monday, but inquiries can be made at https://escanabadowntown.com/parade/.

A prince and princess to serve as grand marshals of the parade were chosen at random Monday morning. Potential princes and princesses must be between age 5 and 8. Gerald Ellis and Marissa Miron, both 7, will ride in an open vehicle and wave to those attending the parade, organizers said. For being chosen, they will receive Stormy Kromer hats to wear during the parade, along with gifts from local businesses.

According to DDA Director Craig Woerpel, there will be a special surprise to end the parade this year.

“This year, people are going to want to see the parade … It is going to be a spectacular ending to the parade,” Woerpel said.

The evening will also offer the chance to meet Santa at the Escanaba Marketplace on 15th Street South after the parade.

The Escanaba DDA is seeking sponsors of the parade, which is new this year, Beauchamp said.

“These would allow us to grow our Christmas projects, which include the Christmas tree ornaments decorated by the kindergartners (new in 2025) and third graders, as well as more Christmas decorations downtown and the Christmas Parade,” she said.

Those wishing to sponsor the parade and other downtown Christmas decorations may do so at https://escanabadowntown.com/christmas-sponsor/.

“Anyone interested in helping, even an hour, makes a difference. Call the DDA to join our Christmas Team,” Beauchamp said.

The Escanaba DDA can be contacted at 906-789-8696.

Christmas in the Village, on the U.P. State Fairgrounds at 2401 Ninth Ave. N., will feature wagon rides, photo opportunities and a wide selection of items made by local artisans and craftsmen for sale.

Nicole Landers, one of the event coordinators, estimates this is 27th Christmas in the Village, with more than 1,000 people expected to attend between Friday and Saturday.

She noted their vendor area is full for this year. “Felicity Feathers from UP North Gifts and Design will be there and other vendors will be in the Community Hall. They’ll have jewelry, cards, handmade crafts and lots more, along with some baked goods,” Landers said. “Lynn Clark will be in the Trapper’s Cabin and will have hand-sewn fur hats, gloves and more.”

A range of food items will be available as well, such as popcorn, a cookie sale and hot chocolate.

Attendees can enjoy carols in Community Chapel, bonfires in the Village Square and complimentary roasted chestnuts in the Agricultural Museum.

Santa will even be in attendance for children to tell their Christmas wishes. “We have Santa in the schoolhouse and people are more than welcome to take pictures with him. A lot of people take pictures in front of their favorite buildings that are decorated,” Landers said.

Admission to Christmas in the Village is free; however, donations of non-perishable food items are encouraged. Donations will be given to local food pantry.

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Sophie Vogelmann can be reached at 906-786-2021 or svogelmann@dailypress.net.