Today the Stuart Lions Club is hosting their annual Stuart Community Christmas Celebration.

Things will get started at 10am with the annual Kids Shop Free Program, which will last until 1pm. The program allows children to get Christmas gifts for their family members. From 11am to 1pm there will be a free will donation soup lunch, with proceeds going back to the Lions Club to fund Christmas events next year. Soup choices will include chili, vegetable, potato and broccoli cheese, with drinks and desserts provided as well.

At noon Santa Claus will make an appearance, and from noon to 1pm there will also be Santa Train Rides. A tour of homes will begin at 1pm, and last until 5pm, where people will be able to see decorations that residents have up in their yards and homes. A list of addresses that have volunteered for the tours will be provided.

For the second year, there will be horse drawn carriage rides, with the rides to start at 5pm and last until 8pm. Anyone interested in taking a carriage ride will need to sign up in advance, which they can do starting at 11am. All events will take place at the Stuart First Congregational Church.

While waiting for a carriage ride, there will be lemonade, popcorn, coffee, hot chocolate and pizza furnished by The Stuart Scoop for people to enjoy. There will also be drawings for Stuart Chamber Bucks, gift certificates and gifts from local businesses, along with three Christmas wreaths decorated by Nyla Maas.