By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
While the tree lighting takes place Friday, Dec. 1 in downtown Larned, the parade and festivities will be amped up Saturday, Dec. 2. There will be craft fairs throughout the day on Broadway and at the corner of 5th and State.
Larned Area Chamber of Commerce Director Alex Filbert said the morning kicks off with “Breakfast with Santa” at 8:30 a.m. at Glory Be.
"We're doing a fun event to encourage families with young kids to come in," said Filbert. "They can have breakfast with Santa, make crafts, take a picture with him and have some fun to kick off the Saturday."
The 103rd Larned Christmas Parade downtown will begin at 11 a.m., and this year’s parade has the theme of “The Magic of Christmas.” Filbert said there are more events planned after the parade.
"Santa will be set up inside his house for on the Courthouse lawn for kids to take pictures and tell him what they want for Christmas," said Filbert. "At 2 p.m., our Chamber ambassadors have a free showing, a kid movie, of Elliott: The Littlest Reindeer. That will be at the State Theater where they do prizes, popcorn and treats."
The tree lighting Friday downtown will be from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.