CHOCOWINITY — Santa Claus will pay an earlier than usual visit to Beaufort County Saturday when Chocowinity hosts its traditional Christmas parade.

But the jolly old elf will have to share the spotlight this year with David Fields, the parade’s grand marshal. Fields was chosen for the honor because of the countless hours he has devoted to Chocowinity and its residents, according to Arlene Jones, who serves as co chairman of the parade with Rachel Wolfe.

“David goes way back … he volunteers and has for years and years and years,” Jones said. “He has just always been so involved in everything that goes on in Chocowinity. He does so much.”

Joining Fields and Santa in the parade lineup will be Chocowinity Mayor Jimmy Mobley, town commissioners and other elected officials, civic groups and representatives of local churches, schools, businesses, fire departments and rescue squads. And it wouldn’t be a parade without classic automobiles and tractors thrown in for good measure. Ribbons for first, second and third place among the parade’s best entries will be presented, Jones added.

The parade will roll at 10 a.m. sharp and lineup begins at 8 a.m. at Chocowinity Middle School. The parade will leave the school and proceed east along N.C. Highway 33 before turning left onto Bragaw Lane.

Saturday will also be a busy day at the Chocowinity Fire Department. Beginning at 7 a.m., Angels N Camo will host a fundraising pancake and sausage breakfast. And at 8 a.m. the fire department auxiliary will throw open the doors on its Christmas Expo.

The expo will feature the works of more than 30 local artists and crafts people, according to Regina Elks, the event chairman and auxiliary president. Booths will display a variety of merchandise including jewelry, holiday decorations, wreaths, pottery, baby blankets, hair bows and gift items.

A little further east along N.C. Highway 33, the folks at Raised In A Barn Farm will keep the Christmas momentum going beginning in the early afternoon with their Follow Me To The Farm Holiday Celebration. The schedule of events includes games, entertainment, music and a bonfire. Bring canned goods as a donation to Eagle’s Wings food pantry and receive special discounts. Hot dogs, baked goods, farm produce and fresh Christmas wreaths will also be sold.

“We decided to focus our first event around the tradition of Chocowinity’s holiday parade,” said Jane Boahn, who operates Raised In A Barn Farm with her family. “This will give us all a day of celebrating and sharing family time at the farm, which is the atmosphere we wish to create here for all events. Simple life, good clean fun and making memories on the farm will hopefully become a yearly tradition after the parade from this point on.”

The yuletide season in Chocowinity continues Nov. 30 with a festive performance by the Edenton-based Rocky Hock Opry at the Tar Heel Variety Theater. That show will feature Christmas songs as well as gospel and country music, according to theater owner Angie Lewis. There is also a comedian “who is second to none,” Lewis said.

Tar Heel Variety Theater will also host two Christmas shows Dec. 14, with lunch and dinner served before the performances. The meals, prepared by Poor Man’s Catering, will include turkey, ham, stuffing, gravy, string beans, corn, rolls and iced tea. Performers will include Lewis herself, along with Beth Ivey, Lewis & Hyman, Dana Lewis and Nicky Harris.

For more information about the Chocowinity parade, contact Jones at 252-945-2213 or Wolfe at 252-946-6678. To inquire about festivities hosted by Raised In A Barn Farm, contact Boahn at 252-945-6153. Further details about the Christmas Expo may be obtained by contacting Elks at 252-945-0601 or reginaelks@hotmail.com. For tickets to the Christmas shows at Tar Heel Variety Theater, call 252-975-2117 or visit www.tarheelvarietytheater.com.