(KAIR)--"The Spirit of Christmas" will come alive in festival form on Saturday, as the City of Atchison holds its annual, official welcome to the holiday, complete with the tradition of holding an early evening lighted Christmas parade.

Incoming Atchison Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Jill Thorne tells MSC News it's a full day of holiday themed events planned for Saturday, leading up to the parade.

Named as grand marshal for the “Sights and Sounds of Christmas” parade is Atchison resident Karl Schuele who- well known through the decades as portraying Santa Claus, with his late wife, Jane, assisting as Mrs. Claus.

The downtown Atchison Christmas-themed activities will begin at 11:00 tomorrow morning, and run until 4:30, with the parade to begin at 5:30.