BAY MINETTE, Ala. – We may be somewhat nearer the Equator than the North Pole, but Santa is making an appearance at the 28th annual Christmas Fest in Bay Minette.

If you take a look at some of the art by Judy Pimperl, you'd swear he drove a “Santamobile,” red car with fins that looks to be a cross between a 50's Buick and Cadillac in Bay Minette instead of the traditional reindeer-pulled sleigh.

Well, after all, snow is rather thin on the ground here.

The festival is Dec. 3 and 4 this year. The festival, which combines arts and crafts vendors, a children's area with rides and games, formal Christmas tree lighting, a 5K and “fun run,” a 100-plus unit parade and more is the community's welcome to the holiday season. (See schedule )

New this year is a “Fine Arts Exhibit and Silent Auction” that will be held 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Bay Minette City Hall Rotunda. Admission is free.

Curated by Pimperl and Debbie McMickle, owners of the Best Friends Gallery in Bay Minette, the exhibit will feature the works of Pimperl, Amanda Riddle, Jerry Bradley, Patti Dettling, Jo Vickery, Alicia Liles, John Lewis, Patti Wilson and Ed Lambert. Each artist will have work on display and has donated something for the “silent auction” held along with the exhibit. Proceeds from the auction will go to the North Baldwin Chamber of Commerce.

“We have enough artists around here (to do a show), said Pimperl, adding that many think of other area communities as centers for the arts.

“The light bulb went off and I said, “Why not me?'”

Pimperl added that she and McMickle had, “have both given 110 percent” to make the exhibit a reality.

According to Margo Allen, the Executive Director of the North Baldwin Chamber of Commerce, the exhibition is “a start,” something they hope will continue with other Christmas Fests.

“We have really good artists, “ said Pimperl.

“This is gallery-quality art,” added Allen. She added that it is estimated 4,000 to 6,000 people attend the event.

“This draws vendors from out-of-town,” said Allen. She explained the event is designed to draw attention to Bay Minette area and to allow area residents to get their holiday shopping done early.

“It really kicks off the holiday season,” she said.

This is a “real family event,”said Allen. There will be more than 70 vendors coming to the festival, about 30 percent of them “new,” according to Allen.

“And there is a pet parade, and a Breakfast with Santa,” continued Allen. “Hopefully, it will be a very big weekend for us.”