Akron will host its fourth annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony and Santa's arrival on Friday, Nov. 24, at 6:30 p.m. The free event will be held in the parking lot of W Donuts, 805 Main St., Akron.

Event coordinator Katrina Zimmerman noted that doughnuts will be a theme at the event, as this year marked the closure of Weiser's and the opening of W Donuts. W Donuts will provide doughnuts at the tree lighting ceremony, and the first 75 families to attend will receive a complimentary doughnut ornament. The ornaments were handmade by Zimmerman, Rebecca Shuey, and Lea Burkholder, who also helped to plan the event.

A vintage fire truck will transport Santa to the tree lighting at about 7 p.m. Children will have an opportunity to sit on Santa's lap for photos and to receive a special gift.

The saxophone ensemble Saxational Sounds will play Christmas music, and a s'mores station and hot chocolate will add to the festivities. Dogs are welcome to attend the event and receive dog puppacinos.

Attendees may admire the special festive decorations around town. These decorations include ornaments by the Akron clock, Christmas lights at the entrance to Broad Street Park, and 36 wreaths hung on light posts. Katrina and her husband, Borough Council member Kleon Zimmerman, will hang the wreaths before the tree lighting ceremony. The wreaths are now completely paid off by sponsors, and all future money raised will go to the tree lighting.

Community members are asked to bring a food item for donation to Ephrata Area Social Services.

For more information, call Katrina at 717-615-2558.

The sponsors of the tree lighting event are W Donuts, Ephrata National Bank, Alex Burkholder's Affordable Lawn Care, and Crafted of Light and Lumber.