St. John Winterfest Saturday

A full day of festivities is coming to St. John Saturday with a scheduled Santa Claus appearance, shopping, craft fair, hay rides, open houses and tree lighting. A prime rib and salmon dinner with a silent auction will follow on Sunday.

The 23rd annual St. John Winterfest celebration will officially begin at 10 a.m. Saturday downtown. The Lighting of the Tree ceremony is slated for 10 a.m. between Bank and Hardware, and a craft fair also begins at 10 a.m. in the fire station. The craft fair will run until 3 p.m., and more than 25 vendors are slated for the event.

Also in the fire station at 10 a.m. will be cinnamon rolls. Visitors can pre-order holiday pies. All funds from the cinnamon rolls and holiday pies will go toward supporting the St. John Park Equipment Fund.

The fire station will stay busy with Brenda's Homemade Soup scheduled for 11 a.m. This will last until the soup is sold out.

At Empire Foods, there will be a poker walk going on from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Those interested can purchase a $5 entry to earn cash prizes. Also from 10-4 is an opportunity for people to vote for their favorite decorated tree. St. John businesses have entered trees, which are located at Moments Spa.

Lawnmower races at CHS Primeland are scheduled for 1 p.m., with kid's derby races to follow at 1:30 p.m.

Other activities include bingo at 2 p.m. in the Denton building and the golden egg toss at Funky Junk, as well as the kids corner next to the café starting at 10 a.m. Kettle corn and carnival games will be available at the kids corner.

Santa will be available for pictures at Primeland from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Also scheduled for the day are crafts and shopping, as well as downtown hay rides. Businesses will be open with holiday specials and the chance to warm up inside between outdoor activities.

The kids parade, which will start at Primeland, will be at 4:15, and the Winterfest parade will immediately follow. The St. John Community club fireworks display over downtown will commence after the parade.

Following Saturday's Winterfest, the St. John Community Club is hosting the Winterfest Prime Rib Dinner and Benefit Auction for anyone 21 and over. The prime rib and salmon dinner will begin at 5 p.m., and the silent auction will follow at 6 p.m.