CHOCOWINITY — It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Chocowinity, or at least it will this weekend.

Saturday is jam-packed with yuletide holiday activities beginning at 7 a.m. and running through the evening hours. The schedule includes a parade, craft show, hayrides, photos with Santa and a Christmas concert.

The festivities begin early with a fundraising pancake breakfast benefiting Angels N Camo and the annual Christmas Expo hosted by the Chocowinity Fire Department Auxiliary. Those events are held at the fire department and begin at 7 a.m., according to auxiliary president Regina Elks.

The craft show will feature a little something for everyone, including handmade wreaths, duck calls, baked goods, leather crafts, homemade dog treats, scented fragrance products, Christmas decorations and jellies, jams, pickles and gift baskets from the folks at Southside Farms.

The Christmas Expo runs until 2 p.m.., according to Elks.

Certainly a highlight of the day’s celebration will be the traditional Christmas parade hosted by the Town of Chocowinity. That event begins at 10 a.m., according to Arlene Jones, a member of the planning committee.

Jones expects a variety of entries again this year, representing local churches, schools, community groups and businesses. She also anticipates a good number of antique tractors, classic automobiles and fire trucks from throughout Beaufort County.

This year’s grand marshal will be recognized, and best in show ribbons will be presented to the parade’s top three entries, Jones added. The parade begins at Chocowinity Middle School and then proceeds along N.C. Highway 33 and Bragaw Lane.

Santa Claus will be a special guest, perched atop a Chocowinity Fire Department engine.

Raised In A Barn Farm, located on N.C. Highway 33 east of town, will host a Christmas celebration from noon to 5 p.m. On tap will be live music provided by Washington-based band K-OS as well as hot and cold beverages, chili, beans and baked goods. Vendors will also sell crafts, gifts and Christmas trees.

Santa will drop by for photos with the kids and, weather permitting, bonfires are planned, according to farm owner Jane Boahn.

Saturday evening, folks are invited to make their way to Tar Heel Variety Theater for the first of three Christmas concerts. This weekend features The Rocky HockOpry, and performers include the Opry Boys Quartet and comedians Flatbilly Bob and Cindy Lewis. Showtime is 7:30 p.m.

The theater will host additional holiday shows Dec. 6 and 13 when it stages the Tar Heel Variety Christmas Shows. Those events, showcasing the talents of theater owner Angie Lewis and her daughter Dana Lewis, Nicky Harris and comedians Louis and Hyman, begin at 7 p.m. each night.

The holiday spirit continues at Raised In A Barn Farm next month, as well. The farm will host hayrides with Santa Claus, story telling and photos sessions the evenings of Dec. 5 and 12. Turkey shoots benefiting Angels N Camo are planned for Dec. 6 and 13, with a free BB gun shooting activity offered for children. Hot foods will be for sale, too.

Raised In A Barn Farm is a drop-off point in Chocowinity for Toys for Tots and a canned food drive for Eagle’s Wings. Anyone donating to either cause will be entered into a drawing for RIABF gift baskets, according to Boahn.

*For more information about the Christmas Expo, contact Elks at 252-945-0601 or reginaelks@hotmail.com.

For further details about the Christmas parade, call 252-945-2213 or 252-946-6678, or visit the Choco Parade page on Facebook.

For more information about events hosted by Raised In A Barn Farm, call 252-945-6153 or email raisedinabarnfarm@gmail.com.

For ticket information about concerts at Tar Heel Variety Theater, call 252-975-2117.