A warm Christmas atmosphere will arrive in downtown Oak Harbor this weekend.

The downtown corridor is festooned with greenery thanks to a few good elves and local Marines. And Santa will arrive in town just in time for the Holiday Shoppers Stroll and Christmas Village in downtown Dec. 9 and 10.

The weekend will be filled with shopping, entertainment, fun for the kids and quite a bit of holiday cheer.

“It’s the downtown merchants’ gift to the community,” said Lydia Sikes, event chair and member of the sponsoring Harborside Merchant’s Association. “It’s our way of helping to build the holiday spirit here in Oak Harbor.”

As appropriate for a seaside town, Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive aboard a pirate ship. After coming ashore, Santa will sit for portraits with the kids.

There will be free train rides for the kids in the parking lot next to Fox Pointe Limited, courtesy of Blue Fox Drive-In.

While walking between shops, be serenaded by music of the season. Band quartets from the high school will perform and choir groups will carol all along Pioneer Way. The Whidbey Community Band is also expected to join the musical merriment.

“The atmosphere is great, it’s a real good get-together,” Sikes said. “There’s a warm, fun holiday spirit everywhere you turn.”

One of the main attractions will be the parade today at 11 a.m. It will be a green, red and white spectacular.

“It was pretty amazing,” Sikes said. “There were around 200 kids lined up to see Santa arrive with the parade.”

Last year’s parade brought sightings of doggies decorated like reindeer, and this year firefighters will bring Wally the Firetruck, organizations like Big Brothers Big Sisters and 4-H will march proudly and everyone is invited to dress festively and join the parade.

Special attraction in today’s parade is the Oak Harbor Wildcats football team which won the state championship in the Tacoma Dome last Saturday. Cheer on the players and their coaches as they march in the parade.

Participating downtown merchants will have early holiday specials, discounts and plenty of gift ideas.

Adults can go on a hunt with a map and find treasure chests in participating stores. After completing the map enter a drawing to win a $500 shopping spree. If you don’t have time to make it around to all the stores this weekend you have until Dec. 16.

The shoppers stroll is perfect opportunity to find those unique Christmas gifts for everyone on your list and support downtown merchants at the same time. The Harborside Shops host an eclectic group of businesses, from antiques to gift certificates at Zorbas. Find art, candy, clothes, trading cards, nature gifts and much more.

While shopping and playing Santa, be sure to purchase something to be donated to the Marine Corps Toys for Tots.

The Christmas Village will stay open inside Paint Your World all week long, through Dec. 16.