NEDERLAND — Boston Avenue in Nederland will be lit up with Christmas lights, color and snow from noon to 7 p.m. Saturday.

The annual ‘Christmas on the Avenue’ event, organized by Nederland Parks and Recreation, will be filled with family-friendly activities, local shopping, food and holiday cheer.

Angela Fanette, parks and recreation supervisor, said the event takes place at Tex Ritter Park in Nederland and spreads along Boston Avenue to 13^th Street.

“This event has been going on for 11 years,” she said. “We started this event with a small craft time at our old city hall and our council chambers. We just did crafts with the kids, made some cookies and that was it.”

Fanette said the occasion grew to become a full-fledged, all-day holiday party with a petting zoo, synthetic ice rink, toboggan tunnel, polar golf and more.

“This is Southeast Texas. We don’t get real snow but the kids do get to wear real ice skates and experience a little bit of it,” Fanette said. “We’ll also have nine-hole polar golf in the middle of the street that will be fun to participate in.”

All activities are free. Kids under the age of 16 can also participate in a scavenger hunt with a chance to win several prizes including an Xbox 1, Nintendo Switch and Air Pods.

Story time will also be available at different hours with readings by the Nederland Fire Department at 1:30 p.m. and Mrs. Claus at 4:30 p.m. in the firehouse.

“Besides story time, the fire department is also giving away popcorn,” Fanette said. “They are very proud that they are able to provide these services to the community.”

Homegrown shops will also have booths set up for early Christmas shopping.

“We want to encourage residents to shop local this Christmas season,” Fanette said. “We want to support our local businesses and their products, so several vendors will be set up along Boston Avenue selling their goods.”

The day will also be riddled with entertainment performances from Ned and Company, local choirs and student presentations, with a tree lighting ceremony beginning at 6 p.m.

“We have a new tree this year,” Fanette said. “It’s a massive 22-foot tree and it is forecast to ‘snow’ during the ceremony. It’s going to be beautiful.”

Fanette wants to encourage the community and surrounding communities to come out and participate.

“I think everybody in town has had a rough few weeks,” she said. “It’s been stressful. Holidays can always be stressful for families, but especially with everything going on. This event is important because all these activities are meant to be something fun to bring our communities together, to let everyone enjoy time with neighbors and friends and to get into the spirit of the season.”

Entergy, Cricket Wireless, DuGood FCU and the Golden Triangle Emergency Center sponsor this event. Fannette extends her thanks to all sponsors.

“It’s going to be a fun day, the weather is going to be fantastic,” she said. “It will be a great time to drink some hot chocolate, shop, have fun and enjoy a nice day on Boston Avenue. We want everyone to take the time to enjoy the lights, activities and being with their families.”

For more information, visit ‘Christmas on the Avenue’ on Facebook. Nederland Parks and Recreation will post a full timeline on social media this evening.