Area residents will have the opportunity to get into the Christmas spirit when Manheim holds a variety of events to usher in the holidays.

The festivities will kick off on Thursday, Dec. 1, during 1st Thursday. "Steven Courtney will be playing in the mini park from 5 to 6 p.m.," said Kristie Schmid, executive director of the Manheim Area Chamber of Commerce, one of the groups planning Christmas in Manheim activities. The mini park is located at the corner of High and Main streets. "At 6 p.m., we will unveil our new Manheim Christmas mailbox that will be used to collect letters and cards for people in retirement communities." Horst Arts created the new mailbox, and Santa and Mrs. Claus will be on hand for the unveiling.

"At 6:30 p.m., we'll have our second annual Story Hop," Schmid noted. "There will be three different stops around Market Square, and each stop will have a different Christmas story." She added that 1st Thursdays are sponsored by Blue Ridge Communications, and a complete list of events and specials can be found at http://www.1stthursdays.com.

Additional Chamber-sponsored events include a showing of the 1966 version of "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 5, at the Manheim Community Library. On Tuesday, Dec. 6, Artifice Ales and Mead will host holiday-themed trivia beginning at 7 p.m.

On Friday, Dec. 2, the library will host Cookies, Crafts and Cocoa from 3 to 5 p.m. "It's for kids of all ages," said Andrea Black, library director. "There will be several different craft stations where kids can make things like a wrapping paper Christmas tree, a reindeer paper ball ornament, a winter gnome craft and other cute holiday-themed crafts."

Saturday, Dec. 3, will see Manheim overrun with Santas during the Santa 5K Run and Walk, sponsored by the Manheim Lions Club, and St. Paul's United Church of Christ will host Breakfast with Santa from 9 to 10 a.m. The annual Christmas tree lighting will take place from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the square, hosted by Manheim Brethren in Christ Church. Festivities will include a DJ playing Christmas music, Christmas carols by the Manheim Central High School choir, performances by Balance Dance and Cricket's Performing Arts and the lighting of the tree. "There will also be several different food options for sale or by donation, kids' activities and a Christmas photo booth," said Corby Burkholder, family life pastor. "We will be collecting toys for Toys for Tots and canned goods for the Manheim Central Food Pantry."

On Sunday, Dec. 4, the Women's Club of Manheim will host the Holiday Tour of Homes from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. Highlights of the tour will include Hope Episcopal Church, which was built in 1849, and the home of Calvin and Michelle Martin, which was built around a one-room schoolhouse and dates to 1824. The home of Ben and Karen Hanselman will also be featured, said Linda Karns, tour chairperson, noting that it is newly constructed after the original home was destroyed in a fire last year. "They wanted to participate on the tour to thank the community for helping and supporting them over the past year," she said.

The tour is a fundraiser for the Women's Club of Manheim, which provides scholarships and grants, among other efforts. Tickets are available for a discount in advance and may be purchased from any member of the Women's Club or at Longeneckers True Value, Shaub's Dry Cleaning or Divine Consign. On the day of the tour, tickets may be purchased at any home on the tour.