RINCON — Santa Claus is coming to town and he’s going to hand around awhile.

After St. Nick appears in Saturday morning’s 41st Rincon Noon Lions Club Christmas Parade, he will head to The Herald Center for the first Hometown Christmas Festival. The free family event at 1204 N. Columbia Ave. is slated 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

“Basically, it’s like the kickoff to the holiday season,” Effingham Herald general manager Kim Dennis said. “The parade is every year and people are always wanting to do something after it is over, so we decided to put something together for people to go to.”

The Hometown Christmas Festival will feature photo opportunities with Santa and Mrs. Claus, a bounce house from Heavenly Inflatables and Kona Ice.

“We will also have a face painter and live entertainment by Cate Alto,” Dennis said. 

Approximately two dozen vendors will also be on hand. Their wares include women and children’s clothing, custom t-shirts, jewelry, candles, arts and crafts, small furniture, baked goods and, of course, stocking stuffers and memory makers.

“There is a ‘shop local’ element to the event,” Dennis said.

The Herald’s goal is to make the Hometown Christmas Festival an annual event.