BAY MINETTE, Alabama — There are plenty of activities on tap this holiday season in north Baldwin, ranging from Pancakes with Santa to a lighted boat parade.
The season also includes the 34th annual Christmas Fest – a two-day extravaganza that includes tons of vendors, children’s activities, live entertainment, the annual Christmas parade and much more.
Here’s a round-up of some of the activities planned this holiday this north Baldwin County:

Thursday, Dec. 1

A special tree lighting ceremony will be held 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 1, at North Baldwin Infirmary. Activities will include special booths, crafts, refreshments and food trucks, giveaways and Christmas caroling. The tree lighting will take place at 6:45 p.m. NBI is on north Hand Avenue in Bay Minette.

Saturday, Dec. 3
Pine Grove Volunteer Fire Department will hold its annual Pancakes with Santa from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, Dec. 3. Prices are a $5 Breakfast plate (includes eggs, choice of meat, pancakes with or without toppings, drink) and $5 for Pictures with Santa. Proceeds benefit the Pine Grove VFD.
Christmas in Perdido will be held 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, at Perdido School. There will be numerous vendors selling everything from homemade goodies to flowers to antiques. Food and drinks will also be available for purchase through the Perdido Alumni and Beta Club. Breakfast with Santa will be held from 8 to 10 a.m. and the cost is $5.

Friday, Dec. 9
Bedtime Stories with Santa will be held 6:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9, at the Bay Minette Public Library. This special tradition will include the reading of a Christmas story and a visit from the jolly old elf. There is no charge to attend and the children are encouraged to come dressed in their pajamas. Parents are welcome to snap pictures of their child’s visit with Santa Claus. The library is at 205 W. Second Street.

The 34th annual Christmas Fest will be held Dec. 9 and 10 at Blackburn Park in downtown Bay Minette. Vendor booths are open 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

Santa will be throwing more than just candy when he arrives in downtown Bay Minette on Friday. The jolly old elf will be tossing out hundreds of ping pongs as he makes his grand entrance. The ping pongs will be dropped as part of the opening ceremonies with Santa riding in on top of a fire truck. Of those, 100 ping pongs will be numbered and 100 prizes will be given away when patrons return on Saturday. Prizes include a flat screen TV this year.
In addition to numerous arts and crafts and food vendors, there will be games and fun activities and plenty of great entertainment to fill the weekend. There will also be a special children's area set up in Blackburn Park manned by volunteer groups. The Kids' Zone will offer the younger set some activities to enjoy during the festival.
Friday's activities will include the lighting of the Christmas tree in Blackburn Park, Santa's arrival and performances by local talent.

Baldwin County Youth Orchestra will present “Waltzing Through Christmas” at 7 p.m. Dec. 9 at the Eastern Shore Baptist Church. The BCYO features several students from north Baldwin County including Sarah Haskew, Mathew Rice, Jack Rice, Abbie Rice, Bethany Driggers and Savannah Wilkes. The concert will feature dancers from the Eastern Shore Dance Academy with selections from Nutcracker and Snow Maiden. Admission is free and toy donations will be accepted for the WKRG Great Toy Drive.

Saturday, Dec. 10
The 34th annual Christmas Fest continues Saturday with more time for shopping at vendor booths, live entertainment, Christmas Fest 5K and 1-Mile Fun Run, antique car show and the annual parade.
The parade rolls at 1:30 p.m. and will begin at Bay Minette Elementary School to Ninth Street to Hand Avenue to U.S. Highway 31 South to Pine Street, First Street then to Hoyle Avenue to Fifth Street to White Avenue to Sixth Street back to the school.
For more information about Christmas Fest, call the North Baldwin Chamber of Commerce at 251-937-5665.

Pancakes with Santa from 8 to 10 a.m. Dec. 10 at the Family Life Center at First United Methodist Church in Bay Minette. Tickets are $5 each and can be purchased at the door. This event is sponsored by the Bay Minette Kiwanis Club.

Friday, Dec. 16
Crossroads Church will present “Love Came Down: A Christmas Worship Experience” at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16. The church is at 10777 County Road 138 in the Crossroads community of Bay Minette.

Sunday, Dec. 18
Crossroads Church will present “Love Came Down: A Christmas Worship Experience” at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 18. The church is at 10777 County Road 138 in the Crossroads community of Bay Minette.