Hillsboro, Peabody plan holiday events this weekend

Hillsboro’s annual Down Home Christmas and Peabody’s annual Come Home for Christmas will be Saturday.

Hillsboro’s event will feature food and drinks from downtown merchants and a chili lunch from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Hillsboro Chamber of Commerce.

Kids crafts, videos, and snacks will be at the library from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., music will play downtown. horse-drawn sleigh rides will be available, Mrs. Claus will read stories at 101 N. Main St., nativity animals will be on display in the Emprise Bank Courtyard, and vendors will have booths at First Mennonite Church.

The Grinch will visit Midway Motors from 10 a.m. to noon. Free digital photos will be available.

Photos with Santa will be available from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Et Cetera Shop. The day’s finale will be a 3:30 p.m. tree lighting ceremony with Santa escorted by first responders. Hot chocolate will be served.

In Peabody, an 11 a.m. vendor showcase at Peabody American Legion will precede Come Home for Christmas. The showcase will include home-based businesses, crafts and a bake sale.

Santa will be at the Legion from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Story time will be at 1:30 p.m.

A parade is planned for 4 p.m. Afterward, Santa and Mrs. Claus will pose for pictures.

Students in grades 6 through 12 will be working on the Hub’s float from 5 to 9 p.m. Pease Family Farm Welding will provide a taco bar and drinks. Kids are to meet at the Hub and walk down to Chuck Mead’s shop, 105 W. 1st St.

After the parade, a caricature artist, a face painter, inflatable games, carriage rides, and the making of gingerbread houses will be downtown.