LISBON

The Lisbon Promotions Committee will host its third annual Very Merry Main Street event from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday. Among the planned activities are the arrival of Santa Claus and the lighting of the Christmas Tree at MTM Community Center on School Street.

“This will be the first time in the event’s history that the tree lighting and Santa’s arrival will take place at the MTM Center,” a release from the committee states. “Previously, the tree lighting had been held at Gazebo Park on Route 196.”

Several Lisbon Falls businesses plan to open their doors in an open-house style format to welcome visitors with refreshments and entertainment at various locations, while the downtown’s retailers offer special sales and promotions.

The festivities will kick off at 4:30 p.m. at the MTM Center performance pavilion, with caroling and refreshments offered by the members of the Lisbon Falls Baptist Church. At 5 p.m., Santa Claus will arrive to herald the start of the Christmas season in Lisbon by lighting the new Christmas tree behind the community center.

“Once the tree lighting is complete, Santa will adjourn to a small slice of the North Pole to be located inside the community center, where attendees young and old will have the chance to view Christmas displays and even have their picture taken with St. Nick,” for $5, the release states.

Proceeds from the photo fee will help pay the costs of the event.

A horse- drawn carriage will transport attendees from the MTM Center to the business open houses along Main Street and Route 196.

Among other attractions will be musical performances by Present Company at Drapeau’s Costumes of Maine and Steve Hildonen at Tangles. Children can make their own Christmas ornaments at the Lisbon Falls Community Library.

All downtown events will occur between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. For more information, call 353-3000 extension 122.