WALTON _ With Black Friday over, the Walton Chamber of Commerce invites shoppers to "Spend the Day in Walton" on Saturday by browsing through stores and enjoying special events throughout the day.
The day will begin at 8 a.m. at the Harby Center at 45 Stockton Ave., where everyone can have breakfast with Santa. The festivities end with a "Karaoke Christmas" from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. at West 38 Restaurant at 38 West St.
Maureen Wacha, Chamber president-elect, said plans for the full-day event have been under way for months.
"Every year it gets bigger and better," Wacha said. "There is no day of the entire year when you see more people on Delaware Street."
One of the high points of the day is the holiday parade that has been an annual event for more than 20 years, according to organizer Patty Wood.
The parade, featuring lighted floats, begins at 6 p.m. at the bus garage on Delaware Street and ends with the tree-lighting in the National Bank of Delaware County parking lot on Bridge Street.
Wood said Girl Scout troops will be pulling wagons along the parade route to collected nonperishable food items for the Walton Food Bank.
"People don't usually bring cans of soup and boxes of spaghetti to a parade, but we hope they will all remember to bring food to this one," Wood said.
Titus, the Delaware Valley Hospital mascot, will be in the parade and will lead the sing-along following the lighting of the village tree.
"We estimate that about 500 people line the streets for the parade," Wacha said Friday. "The parade has grown every year and draws bigger and bigger crowds and of course, Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive to light the tree." Throughout the day are special promotions, craft shows and giveaways at businesses in the village.
Schedules are available at Chamber member businesses.
Highlights of Saturday include a gingerbread house contest at Walton High School, where entries must be in place by 10 a.m. and winners will be announced at noon, and a "Where the Wild Things Are" puppet show at the William B. Ogden Free Library at 1 and 1:30 p.m.
There will be craft shows at the Walton Grange Hall and at Townsend Elementary School on North Street; a Christmas bazaar featuring a holiday cookie sale at the Congregational Church; and free horse-drawn hay rides.
There will be a free matinee for children ages 12 and younger of Disney's "A Christmas Carol" at the Walton Theatre at 2 p.m. with free popcorn.
After the tree lighting will be caroling, followed by free hot chocolate and hot dogs at Danny's Restaurant, and a free pie social at TA's Restaurant.
Musical performances will be featured at three venues, including Jeff Wood at the Country Emporium before and after the parade; Chuck and Terri at Danny's Restaurant following the parade; and Larry Jamieson at TA's Restaurant during the pie social.
Wacha said shoppers have an opportunity to have "Old Fashioned Town Shopping" cards stamped at 50 participating merchants if they spend a minimum of $10. Completed cards will be entered into a Dec. 15 drawing for a three gift certificates totaling $250, redeemable at any Walton Chamber member establishment.
_____
Patricia Breakey can be reached at 746-2894 or at stardelhi@stny.rr.com.
