SANTA CLAUS ARRIVES in the 2023 Crystal Christmas parade in downtown Crystal Falls. This year’s Crystal Christmas has events today and Saturday, including the “Ice Shack Parade” that steps off at 6 p.m. down Superior Avenue. (Courtesy photo)

CRYSTAL FALLS — The Crystal Falls Business Association will host its annual Crystal Christmas celebration this weekend.

This year’s theme is “A Christmas Carol,” CFBA President Barbara Luck said. “We are looking forward to our last event of 2024 — it’s going to be a blast,” she said.

The Crystal Falls Volunteer Fire Department has planned a fish fry fundraiser today at the Tufts-Rondon Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2891 at 108 Superior Ave. Dinners will start at 5 p.m. and go until the fish is sold out.

After the meal, join the post for its “Jingle, Mingle & Dance” from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m.

A full slate of holiday activities takes place throughout Crystal Falls on Saturday, including the arrival of Santa Claus.

Kick off the morning with breakfast with Santa from 8 to 11 a.m. at the Forest Park School cafeteria. The event is a fundraiser for the junior class.

The Harbour House Museum will host a soup and baked goods sale along with a craft show from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the United Lutheran Church. Fourteen vendors will be on site.

Everyone is invited to the sixth-annual Authorpalooza from 9 a.m. to noon at the Crystal Falls Library. Participants will have a chance to meet six local authors who will have books on sale to be autographed.

Children will be able to share their wish list with Santa from noon to 2 p.m. at the VFW and then again from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Crystal Theatre.

The library will conduct Christmas Story Hour and do crafts from 4 to 5 p.m., where kids can hear Christmas tales and make paper ornaments. They will also serve refreshments.

The “Ice Shack Parade” steps off at 6 p.m. down Superior Avenue. Everyone is encouraged to take part. Those in the parade should line up next to the City Hall by the fire station.

“We will again be handing out the traveling trophy award,” Luck said. “A local family has received the award for five years in a row now. I’m excited to see what everyone brings this year.”

Those taking part in the contest must follow the “A Christmas Carol” theme, Luck noted. No registration is required.

Those walking are welcome to hand out treats to the kids along the street, but Luck asks that no one throw candy from a float or vehicle.

The fireworks display is set for approximately 6:30 p.m., after the parade. They will be launched from the Crystal View Golf Course.

The golf course will have a bonfire to warm up as well, Luck said.

“How The Grinch Stole Christmas” featuring Jim Carrey, will be shown at 7 p.m. at the Crystal Theatre. The film is free and sponsored by Ryan O’Grady of Edward Jones and the Friends of the Crystal Falls District Community Library. Each child will get a small popcorn and beverage free of charge as well.

Luck encouraged area kids to drop their Letters to Santa in the mailbox by Sunday in the library’s pocket park. She asked all letters have a return address.