The community is invited to Akron's sixth annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 6, from 6 to 8 p.m. The free event will take place in the parking lot of W Donuts, 805 Main St., Akron.

Activities for children will include face painting, balloon art by Andrew Imhoff, and a visit from Santa from 6:15 to 8 p.m. A live DJ will play Christmas songs. W Donuts will have premade letters to Santa that children may fill out and sign; the letters will be available at W Donuts from Tuesday, Dec. 2, to Dec. 6.

Akron Grace Church volunteers will be positioned under tents with games for children to play. A live Nativity will also be set up with storytelling every half hour.

Free hot chocolate and free cookies will be provided by local businesses. The first 100 people who attend the event will be given a Dub chip, good for one free doughnut. Attendees should look for Mr. Dave on the porch to receive their chip. W Donuts will be open throughout the event for people to purchase additional items.

As part of a project directed by art teacher Angela Hershey, 300 Christmas ornaments were created by Akron Elementary students. The ornaments will be placed on Akron's tree.

Mayor John McBeth will light the Christmas tree at 7:45 p.m. The Akron Volunteer Fire Company will provide a rescue truck to help with the tree lighting, and the West Earl Police Department will be available to help the community with safe street crossing.

Sponsors of the event include W Donuts, Rosenberger, Akron Nutrition, Akron Grace Church, Greg and Mackenzie Moyer, West Earl Police Department, Legacy Murphy Beds, Jenny Lyns, C. Walmer Events, Deamer's Truck Service, JD's Pizza, Tania Kreider, Akron Elementary second grade, Monica Hersh, Mayor John McBeth, Ephrata National Bank, Christine Flomerfelt State Farm Agent, Akron Lions Club, Ephrata Agway, The Smith Family, and Nonna Rosa.