BAY MINETTE - The Bay Minette Christmas Fest begins with Open House Downtown on Dec. 6 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

A train will shuttle visitors to local participating businesses, where they will enjoy refreshments, register to win door prizes (which will be drawn and announced on Friday night during the opening ceremony), and learn more about our local businesses.  There will be a contest for best decorated downtown business. 

Vendor’s will begin setting up a variety of Arts, Crafts and Food Booths on Thursday night beginning at 7 p.m.

Booths will be open for business beginning Friday, Dec. 7, at 9 a.m. Throughout the day, the crowd can enjoy local entertainment from the Courthouse Square Gazebo.

On Friday night beginning at 6:30, Opening Ceremonies will take place with special music.

The lighting of the Christmas Tree, Bedtime Stories with Santa sponsored by the Heritage Jr. Women’s Club, and a special visit from Santa himself are some of the activities planned. Booths close and the festivities end at 8 p.m.

On Saturday, the day begins with Pancakes With Santa, sponsored by Bay Minette Kiwanis Club, from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m.  at Mary’s Restaurant.

The vendor booths open up at 9 a.m. There will also be scheduled entertainment throughout the day from the Courthouse Gazebo.

Devon Long, a student at Faulkner State Community College, is this year’s designer of the 25th Annual Christmas Fest T-shirt.

Long’s design captures the most anticipated arrival of the Christmas Fest Parade — Santa.

Long is pursuing a career in Graphic Art Design and plans to attend Auburn University. He is employed with L&M Marine in Crossroads. He is the son of Ray and Beth Long of Bay Minette.

The Christmas Fest 5K Run, sponsored by the North Baldwin Infirmary Wellness Center, kicks off at the Bay Minette Kids Park at 8 a.m. The Christmas Fest 1 Mile Fun Run begins at 9 a.m. at the Kids Park, also. Awards for both runs will be at 10:30 a.m. at the Bay Minette Kids Park

The 9th Annual Car and Truck Show sponsored by Season’s Café,  will be at Blackburn Park from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Judging starts at 1 p.m. with awards at 4 p.m. Split proceeds go to the North Baldwin White Christmas.

The Motor Cycle Tour For Toys, sponsored by Chuck Steven’s Automotive, will begin at Chuck Steven’s Automotive at 11:30 a.m.  and tour North Baldwin ending at South Hand Ave. prior to the Parade.  The Tour For Toys is to benefit North Baldwin White Christmas. Awards will be at 4 p.m. from the Courthouse Square Gazebo.

The 25th Annual Christmas Fest Parade line-up begins at Bay Minette Intermediate School at noon  The parade begins at 1 p.m.

Applications are still being accepted for floats.  There will be a Classic Car Category in the parade as well this year.

For information on any of the 25th Annual Christmas Fest events, call the North Baldwin Chamber of Commerce at (251) 937-5665.