The holiday season kicked off this weekend in South Baldwin with several activities. Foley welcomed Christmas Friday night at Heritage Park with Christmas in the Park, which included a tree lighting, music by the Foley Elementary School Choir, a tree decorating contest, in which New Custom Lights took home the first-place prize, promenades through the lighted Christmas Village and pictures with Santa in the gazebo.

“We come every year,” said Eric Jackson of Foley. “It looks like they’ve done a great job with the decorations.”

The fun continued Saturday morning in Magnolia Springs as the Community Association’s annual Breakfast with Santa. The yearly event enabled residents of all ages to gather in the Magnolia Springs Community Hall for a morning of pancakes and sausage, holiday crafts and pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

“I love this,” said Magnolia Springs parent Rachel Kaiser. “This is our fourth year doing this.”

Proceeds from Breakfast with Santa went toward upgrading the Hall.

Festivities in the Forward City continued Saturday morning, as well. Thousands lined the streets of downtown Foley to enjoy the annual Foley Christmas Parade, sponsored by Foley Kiwanis Club.

Immediately after the parade, attendees headed to Heritage Park for Let it Snow, the city’s annual offering of a chance to play in man-made snow. The day-long event also included Christmas-themed crafts, music presented by the Foley High School Band, inflatables and food vendors. Santa also returned for more pictures with youngsters, and visitors also had more opportunities to make their way through the Christmas Village.