Children in Russell County will have at least four opportunities to personally tell Santa Claus what they would like for Christmas in the coming days.

Santa will make his annual visit to Monument Square in Jamestown on Friday for Santa on the Square, sponsored by the Jamestown Lions Club. Santa will be appearing at 5 p.m. on the square while the Temple Hill Church youth will begin caroling at 4 p.m.

Dr. James Monin, who heads the event for the Lions Club, said a get together of floats from the Russell Springs Christmas parade last month would also headline the free event.

"The Lions Club will have a gift for each child along with an apple and a picture with Santa Claus," he said.

Monin also said that Guthrie's restaurant would be serving free hot chocolate and cookies to the children as well.

The event is free to children 12 years old and younger and will be complete with a photo with Santa, hot chocolate and caroling.

The Lions club has done something for local children for four decades, Monin said.

He thanked the events' sponsors who help to put on the event each year.

Santa will also be appearing at the Highway 80 Custom Accessories store this Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon, according to employees at the auto accessory store.

Children will get a chance to tell Santa what they would like for Christmas and also get a free photo made with him as well.

The staff invites all children and their parents to the Christmas event.

Minit Mart in Jamestown will also be offering free photos with Santa Claus for the children on Dec. 15 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

To get the photo, one must donate a canned food item to go toward the station's food drive. That same day, Minit Mart will be offering a large one-topping pizza special for $5.

Santa will also be visiting the Jamestown Center for the first time on Dec. 12 from 11 a.m to 2 p.m.

George Alford at the Center said the free event would encompass a photo with Santa Claus along with treat bags for the children.

Alford said the photos would later be e-mailed to the children as a keepsake.

"We hope for a big turnout," he said.

Curt's Heating and Cooling in the Middletown community regretted to inform the community that they would not be having their annual Christmas event this year due to a death in the family.

For live holiday entertainment, The Star Theater in Russell Springs is presenting another weekend of A Christmas Carol at 7 p.m on both Friday and Saturday and at 2 p.m. on Sunday.

Both Russell Springs and Jamestown are now in the holiday spirit with decorations and lights donning city streets.

Jamestown's Monument Square and Main Street to Chalybeate Springs Park  in Russell Springs are full of lights and holiday displays.

Local churches, too numerous to mention, hold their own celebrations, musical programs and plays at Christmas time and with just two weeks left before the big day, these events are coming and going fast.

For the latest Christmas event offerings in our community, see this week's Community Calendar.