The Museum of the Gulf Coast, 700 Procter St. in Port Arthur, is setting up for what is anticipated to be a record-breaking family fun day.

The community wide event, “Jingle All the Way,” is Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the museum. Entry is free.

“This is going to be the best event we’ve ever had for family fun day,” Museum Director Tom Neal said.

“We’ll have Santa Claus, arts and crafts, face painting and more.”

Neal said the event is sure to wow children and adults with this year’s surprise addition — live animals.

“We’ve had some horses for people to pet therapeutically in the past, and we have them coming back again for this event,” he said. “But this year we are also having something really amazing. We are going to have live reindeer here in the parking lot. The kids can see them, pet them and take a photo. It will be great to be in the presence of Santa and his reindeer at the same time.”

The event also includes a photo opportunity with Santa, who will arrive at noon, as well as other live entertainment.

“We’re going to have Rickey Pittman here who is a Cajun storyteller,” Neal said. “He will be telling some different kinds of Christmas stories to the kids. We’ll also have a Motiva STEM robot for the kids to observe.”

Last year’s event drew in a record attendance, a goal Neal expects to surpass this weekend.

“It’s going to be an exciting event,” he said. “The kids are going to pile in here to see robots, make arts and crafts, see Santa and his reindeer. It’s a chance for families to bring their kids out, and the adults get caught up in this, too, and enjoy a fun holiday weekend.”

Saturday’s merriment continues after the event with a 3 p.m. induction ceremony of the world’s strongest man.

“Mark Henry from Silsbee is a world record holder,” Neal said. “He won the Arnold Schwarzenegger first strong man contest ever held. He still holds world records that no one has broken in many years. He is talented and has done
things that no one has been able to equal or surpass. So we’ll have him here for that induction.”

Neal said he is expecting it to be a busy, but entertaining day and wants to encourage the entire community to participate in a day of shock and awe.

For more information, visit museumofthegulfcoast.org.