By: JANET SCOUTEN Record Express Correspondent, Staff Writer

Last Saturday in downtown Lititz, children ages 10 and under got an early taste of Christmas. Carrying goody bags to be filled by generous shopkeepers, kids popped in and out of local stores, pausing only to wave at Santa and Mrs. Claus joyriding up and down Main Street on a fire engine.

"Have Yourself a Merry Lititz Christmas," now in its fourth year, featured activities for children all around the downtown area, including a scavenger hunt, carriage rides, a marshmallow roast, funnel cakes, games, giveaways, entertainment, visits with Mr. and Mrs. Claus and more.

Organized with great care by a close friend of Mrs. Claus, Kathy Blankenbiller, this free annual event allowed all area children, regardless of income, to celebrate the season.

"The holidays are really about children," said Blankenbiller. "No child is turned away from having fun because they can’t pay to play. Everything is free for kids ages 10 and under. For some of these kids, what they receive at this event IS their Christmas."

As the Lititz Moravian Trombone Choir provided a holiday soundtrack to the day, downtown merchants passed out treats that ranged from candy canes at Antiques & Stuff to tabletop fountains at Think Silk, and everything in between.