DAMASCUS — The 14th annual Light up Damascus event is set to offer holiday fun and Christmas cheer for all ages Dec. 12 and 13.

The annual event will see participation from multiple area businesses and community groups including: the Damascus Methodist Church, Damascus Friends Church, Damascus Area Historical Society, Damascus Auto Stop, Damascus Volunteer Fire Department, Do it Best Hardware, Dudley’s G’s Pizza World, and Infinitees.

The annual festivities begin at 4:30 p.m. on Dec. 12 with the annual pet parade. Participants are invited to dress their pet in their most festive holiday fashions and join the parade which will begin at the Pearce House parking lot and proceed down Walnut Street. New this year, the lighting ceremony will follow on Friday at 5 p.m. in the Damascus Friend’s Church parking lot featuring a message from Pastor Jon Long of the Damascus Methodist Church, a live nativity, and the announcement of the distinguished citizens of the year. Following the ceremony there will be a new bright lights bus tour which will board in the Damascus Cemetery parking lot.

The festivities continue all day Saturday Dec. 13, kicking off with the Damascus Community Center Park Breakfast from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. in the Damascus Friend’s Church gym. A $9 donation is requested for those that participate. The church will also host inflatables and caricatures with Abby Kash of Kash Kreations in the gym from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.

The Damascus Methodist Church will be hosting a home and craft show, a lunch counter, and cookie sale. The church will also host free ornament painting for kids in partnership with Hot Pots Pottery of Alliance sponsored by the Tim Barnes Agency. The first 50 children in attendance will receive a free ornament to paint. There will also be “Holiday Hair Fun” with Stephanie McDonald and a Lego display in the gathering room. The church will also be visited once again by Saint Nicholas at 11:30 a.m. for story time in the church’s sanctuary.

Those interested in having their work included in the Lego display should bring their creations to the gathering room from 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 12, or before 9:30 a.m. Dec. 13. All creations must be picked up at 2 p.m. on Dec. 13.

In the evening the West Branch School District will once again invite the community to the High School cafeteria for cookies, carols, and a visit from Santa Claus featuring the musical talents of the West Branch High School Warrior Jazz Ensemble, and Young & Alive Show Choir. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

There will also be activities by area businesses throughout the day including: a sew your own Christmas stocking event from 10 a.m. through 2 p.m. at Infinitees; an open house and craft time with the School House Stitchers at the Pearce House from 10 a.m. through 2 p.m.; Pizza by the slice and Christmas themed beverages at Dudley’s G’s Pizza World from 11 a.m. through 3 p.m.; a veterans wreath placement and ceremony at the Damascus Cemetery at noon; and crafting with Robbie Chapman of the Sewing Room and Becky Smith from Auburn Skilled nursing and rehab from 10 am. to 2 p.m., Mario Kart and Super Smash Bros tournaments for kids aged 5 to 10 from 10 to 11:30 a.m., and for kids aged 11 to 15 from 12:30 to 2 p.m., and a pinata at 11:30 a.m. at the Damascus Fire Station.

The event will also feature several contests for attendees including: a young artist poster contest for West Branch students in grades K-4, a Christmas photo contest, a drawing for a free oil change, and a drawing for a “holiday postal basket.”

Coin voting for the poster contest will be at the Pearce House from 10 a.m. through 2 p.m. Dec. 13. Those interested in participating in the Christmas photo contest should message their best photo of anything Christmas related to the Light Up Damascus Facebook page by Dec. 10. Those interested in entering the free oil change and “holiday postal basket” raffles should visit the Damascus Auto Stop or post office, respectively, between Dec. 8 and noon on Dec. 12.

Donations of $5 to support Light Up Damascus in honor of a loved are currently being accepted, and those interested in offering their support may pick up a donation envelope at the Methodist and Friends Churches, Damascus Farmers National Bank, the post office, Dudley’s G’s Pizza World, and Do it Best Hardware and must be submitted by Dec. 10. The names of donors and honored loved ones will be printed in the program for the event.

For more information on all the holiday fun visit the Light Up Damascus Facebook page.