SANFORD —  A parade, Santa lighting the tree — it must be that time of year — time for Holly Daze in downtown Sanford.

The Holly Daze parade steps off near York Street at 5:30 p.m. Friday and makes its way to the Mid-Town Mall. 

Face painting, crafting ornaments and having a special photo  snapped with that Jolly Old Elf are all on tap for Saturday, along with a whole lot more.

On Saturday night, the Blue Note Big Band will present a free concert at St. Ignatius Gym and Parish Hall, 25 Riverside Ave. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for the 7 p.m. concert.

On Friday, after the parade, Santa and his bride, Mrs. Claus, will make their way to Central Park, where Santa himself will flick the switch to light the tree.

Holly Daze has been an annual event in Sanford for the last several years. There have been years when the temperatures were bitter cold for the parade, years when there was snow on the ground — and years there was none. This year, meteorologists are predicting a high of 46 degrees in Sanford for Friday, and a high of 42 on Saturday, so snow seems out of the question.

Saturday will be a good day for a horse and wagon ride, or to check out the Christmas Tree contest sponsored by the Sanford Mainers, set up at 883 Main St., known locally as The Townhouse. Businesses in the community have decorated trees — and the community gets to cast their votes for the one they like the best from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Holly Daze has been organized by Helen Hajny of Get Fired Up and the Sanford Mainers, and Thea Murphy of the Trafton Center,  with help from Maura Herlihy. The event is sponsored by Wasco.

“It will be a rocking good time,” said Herlihy on Wednesday.

Here is a list of what is on tap for Saturday:

• Get Fired Up, at The Townhouse, has candy, discount coupons and bags for the kids so that they can carry their treasures from each event.

• Third Alarm Diner, on Washington Street, is giving out gingerbread kits.

 • Boomer, the Mainer’s mascot, will greet folks at the Mainer’s Office, located at The Townhouse.

• Mr. and Mrs. Claus will be on hand for pictures, in the Literacy Volunteers of Greater Sanford office at The Townhouse.

• Hollywood Hair, located in the downtown on Main Street, will host an open house, with holiday treats.

• Snip and Tone, in the Mid-Town Mall, hosts an open house, with holiday treats.

• Goodall Library, Main Street, will host a Christmas Craft and holiday treats

• Trafton Center, Elm Street, will host, cookie decorating, face painting and a free lunch.

• Mikini, 1298 Main St., hosts an open house, with holiday treats.

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282-1535, ext. 327 or twells@journaltribune.com.