MENDOTA – The Mendota Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting “A Mendota Christmas” on Saturday, Dec. 3. It is a holiday celebration inviting everyone to come out and enjoy a day of holiday cheer and begin their Christmas shopping. Mendota shops will be decorated and ready for Christmas, featuring gifts for everyone on your list.

A Holiday Craft & Vendor show is set for 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Mendota Elks Lodge featuring crafts and vendor items for all of your holiday gift-giving needs. OSF HealthCare Saint Paul Auxiliary Gift Shop will be open from 9 a.m.-noon to help you with holiday gift ideas for friends and family.

Horse Drawn Carriage Rides, departing from corner of Jefferson Street and Indiana Avenue, will be giving free rides around the downtown area from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

From 11 a.m.-3 p.m., children of all ages are invited to “Touch a Truck.”  Children can come and explore vehicles from police cars, fire trucks, and tractors.

There will be crafts for kids to make and take on Illinois Avenue from 11 a.m.-3 p.m., and of course, the “man in red” – Santa accompanied by Mrs. Claus – will be coming to town and will be listening to children’s wishes in his house on Illinois Avenue from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Parents are encouraged to bring a camera and take holiday photos of the children at the various events.

Free hot chocolate and hot dogs will be provided by the Mendota Lions Club from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Boy Scout Wreath Sales will take place from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and the Northbrook Grade School band will be performing at 10:30 a.m.

Also, Taco Guzman will be selling tacos from 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Cows Coffee will be selling hot beverages from 10:30 a.m.- 3 p.m. and Taco Madre will be selling food from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Local clubs and organizations will be part of Mrs. Santa’s Cookie Sales and will be selling their holiday cookies, candies, breads, and pecans in the bank lobbies until noon.

Admission to all events is free, but the Chamber will be collecting free-will donations to benefit the Mendota Operation Elf Action program, which provides Christmas gifts to children ages 1 -13, whose families need assistance this Holiday season.

Chamber Ambassadors will be on hand in the Information Booth for the kids to pick up their Reindeer to complete, selling 50/50 tickets and ornaments. Mendota Gift Certificates will also be available.

Shoppers are reminded that Mendota’s Shop Local Promotion kicks off Saturday, Nov. 19 and will continue through Dec. 21 at participating businesses. During this time, shoppers will receive a sticker for every $10 they spend in a participating merchant’s business. Customers can place the stickers on cards, obtained at the participating business or at the Chamber office. When your cards are full, and contain at least five participating businesses, you can turn them in to the Chamber office for a chance to win valuable prizes. Don’t forget to pick up your free sticker at the Mendota Christmas downtown on Dec. 3.

In conjunction with “A Mendota Christmas,” shoppers will receive “double stickers” for every $10 they spend on that special day. You can pick up a free “shop local sticker” to help complete your card at the booth located on Illinois Avenue.

Mendota Shop Local Promotion will be 12 days of giving and will start on Dec. 9 with prizes given away every day until Dec. 21 with the Grand Prize being announced on Dec. 22.  All cards will be put back in for the grand prize drawing, so you are encouraged to complete your cards early. Shoppers can turn in as many cards as they wish by the deadline, Dec. 21, at 4 p.m.