HANCOCK - Friday not only is a big day for retailers, with Black Friday, but it's also the day many communities have their Christmas kickoff festivities, and Hancock is one of those communities getting a head start on the holiday.
Jen Burkhouse, event coordinator for the Hancock Business and Professionals Association Christmas Walk, said their event will start at 6 p.m. in front of the Scott Building on Quincy Street. Santa will lead the procession.
"Santa's on a fire truck," Burkhouse said.
Everybody taking part in the walk will follow behind the fire truck, she said.
Santa will stop at the city hall building, Burkhouse said, and children can have their pictures taken with him for free. Children will also be given candy, and their parents can get Hancock bucks, which are redeemable at Hancock HBPA merchants.
Burkhouse said children will be able to keep themselves creatively occupied while waiting to have their picture taken with Santa.
"We're going to have an area by Santa where kids can make (Christmas) ornaments," she said.
The ornaments will be donated to Little Brothers Friends of the Elderly for their Christmas dinner program, Burkhouse said.
The day will include a cooking-baking contest, Burkhouse said. Entries should be taken to her flower shop, Kukkakauppa, at 320 Quincy Street, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday. The cookie recipe must be attached to the cookies, of which there must be at least two dozen.
There are three categories for the cookie contest, Burkhouse said: traditional, best-decorated and youth (12 years old and younger).
Burkhouse said those taking part in the Christmas Walk are being encouraged to look at business windows.
"Windows are going to be decorated all through the town," she said.
There will be horse-drawn wagon rides, also, Burkhouse said.
People can enter for drawings to take place Dec. 4, 11 and 18, which Burkhouse said will provide two $50 Holiday Hancock Bucks, which can be used at downtown merchants.
Kurt Hauglie can be reached at khauglie@ mininggazette.com.