Unfortunately the Old Fashioned Christmas in Groves event and the Groves Lighted Christmas Parade were cancelled this weekend due to the forecast of inclement weather.

On a brighter note, however, there’s an indoor holiday event, Christmas Family Fun Day, scheduled from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 4100 Lincoln Ave. in Groves. The parishes of Immaculate Conception and St. Peter’s in Groves sponsor the event.

Organizers Heather Tesch and Julie Hebert said there will be 15 vendors, Christmas movies, arts and crafts, a silent auction and an appearance by Santa Claus. There will also be a wreath-making class, a bakeshop, a savory shop and a lemonade stand.

“This is our first year to do this,” Tesch said. “We came up with Christmas Family Fun Day when we were thinking about new fundraising ideas to get the community involved. We want to get out and visit the people.”

There will be a box for Santa letters and children are encouraged to bring their letters.

There will also be a live Nativity scene at 10 a.m. and Christmas caroling at 1 p.m.

Some of the vendors will be selling crocheted items, T-shirts, homemade crosses made from shells and a Christmas shop and an ornament shop to name a few.

There will be frozen soups and gumbos and pecans gathered from the church grounds to purchase too.

The Catholic Youth Ministry will sell hot dogs, nachos and Frito pie.

Hebert said the church has a very well connected co-chair, Sherry Armentor, to get so many vendors the first time at the event.

David Ball: 409-721-2427