Christmas on Main, presented by the Parkesburg Action Committee (PAC), will take place on Saturday, Dec. 2, from 2 to 7 p.m. on Main Street in downtown Parkesburg. The event will feature a community tree-lighting ceremony, open houses at local businesses, craft vendors and an appearance by Santa Claus.

During the event, shops will offer in-store holiday specials, and they will host local craft vendors and artisans at their locations. Street parking will be available. "You can walk the street and go shop to shop," said PAC member Jenn Rice. "It's a community-building good time."

The 22 BBQ food truck will be on hand, and there will be roaming Christmas carolers. The Parkesburg Grinch is also scheduled to make an appearance.

Santa Claus will be stationed at the Little Shop Next Door, 215 Main St. Letters to Santa that children write at home can be dropped off at Rocco & Anna's Ristorante Italiano, 302 Main St., Parkesburg. Children can also take part in a craft-making activity at Main St. Cafe Grill, 321 Main St.

The tree-lighting ceremony will take place at the corner of Main Street and Strasburg Road at 6 p.m. This year, the public is being asked to help decorate the tree on Sunday, Nov. 26, at 1 p.m. Ornaments will be provided, or people may bring their own.

The Parkesburg Ducks group will also participate in the event by hosting a scavenger hunt. Small rubber ducks will be hidden at participating shops. Participants are being asked to count the ducks and record their answer on a map for the chance to win one of two prizes. Completed maps should be turned in to PAC member Tina O'Conner at Experience Positive Therapy, 226 W. Main St. Prizes will be gift cards to Parkesburg-area businesses.

In conjunction with Christmas on Main, PAC and Spring House Spirits will hold the third annual Parkesburg toy drive. People are asked to drop new, unwrapped toys during business hours at the following Parkesburg locations: Spring House Spirits, 217 Main St.; Flowers in Bloom, 213 Main St.; Fountain Springs Wellness Spa, 221 W. Main St.; Parkesburg VFW Post 4480, 406 W. Fourth Ave; The Little Shop Next Door; and Main St. Cafe Grill.

"We have a wrapping party ahead of time. But if someone brings something that day, we have a team that will wrap it (immediately)," said Randy Litwin of Spring House Spirits. "There are (some) toys under the tree already. The weekend we launched the toy drive we did a fundraiser in the tasting room and brought in $300, so we will go shopping for toys this week."

The gifts for youths up to age 17 will be handed out during Christmas on Main. "Children can meet with Santa and pick up their toy before they leave," said Rice. Leftover toys will be given to local charities.

Christmas on Main will be held rain or shine. For more information, visit http://www.facebook.com/PAC19365. Craft vendors interested in participating in the event can visit the Facebook page for a link to register or email PAC19365@gmail.com. The deadline to register is Sunday, Nov. 26.