Merchants and community organizations will sponsor Christmas events and activities Saturday in Marion.

At 9 a.m., an Elf on the Shelf hunt will start at CB Baked Goods, Jingle Junk will be for sale at Marion Community Center, where face painting will be available at $5 per person. Ornament making and hot cocoa will be available for $5 per person at Crafty Cactus.

At 9:45 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., “snow” will be shot in the air at Historic Elgin Hotel.

Photos and visits with Santa will start at 10 a.m. at the Marion City Library. A cocoa bar is planned at Kari’s Kitchen and wassail punch at Marion Historical Museum. Cowboy Christmas shopping will be offered at Marion County Lake Hall.

At 11 a.m., root beer will be served at the Tap Truck in front of Historic Elgin Hotel and live reindeer will be on display at 115 N. Third St.

Free “train” rides for kids will leave from the CB Baked Goods at noon.

Cookie swap will be at 2 p.m. at Historic Elgin Hotel. Participants are being asked to bring three to five dozen cookies or treats. Ornament making will be offered at the Marion Historical Museum.

A lighted Christmas parade with downtown music is planned at 5 p.m.

Several businesses will have extended holiday hours.