The annual Hometown Christmas event in Montgomery City will return this year with a light display at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds, a visit from Santa Claus and a festive Friday night in downtown Montgomery City with all of the town’s businesses opening late.

Hometown Christmas, which is sponsored by the Montgomery City Area Chamber of Commerce, will run from Dec. 8-10. The event will run from 6 p.m.-9 p.m. each night. Also, Santa Claus will make a visit at the Chadwick Building from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on Dec. 9.

The first night’s itinerary will include a showing of the 1946 movie, “It’s A Wonderful Life” at Rugged Root Coffee Shop; tablescapes at VFW Post 4436; food trucks from Sacred Groundz, Gigi’s On Wheels and Bucky’s Sit and Get at Third and Sturgeon; Christmas carolers at the parking lot across the street from Montgomery Hardware; food giveaways at Bella Eve Boutique, Birthright, Faith Baptist Church and Montgomery Hardware; drink specials at Papa B’s Wing Shack, AJ’s Grindstone Restaurant and Bar and the Dry Dock; selling of gingerbread houses at Sugar and Spice Laura’s Delights; village scapes at the Montgomery County Arts Council building and a light display at the Fairgrounds. A vehicle will be available to take patrons from location to location.

“We haven’t had a downtown Friday night in a long time,” said Julie Worsham, a Chamber member. “Saturdays continued to go on when the lighted display was out there and Santa was out in the Fairgrounds, but there was no Friday night downtown for a long time, probably in 15 years.”

Worsham said the Chamber started talking about having a Friday night Christmas in downtown Montgomery City during the summer.

“I just hope it unites the community and brings the Christmas spirit,” Worsham said.

During Santa’s visit at the Chadwick Building on the morning of Dec. 9, hot dogs, chips, cookies and water will be served to the patrons. Also that morning, a craft fair will be held at Knights of Columbus Hall (9 a.m.-2 p.m.), there will be tablescapes at the VFW building (10 a.m.-3 p.m.), village scapes at the Montgomery County Arts Council building (10 a.m.-3 p.m.) and free coffee and cookies from Faith Baptist Church from (10 a.m.-3 p.m.).

The Merchants Building at the Fairgrounds will open from 6 p.m.-9 p.m. with an opportunity for children to get a picture taken with Santa. Also from 6 p.m.-9 p.m., there will be a light display at the Fairgrounds.

Hometown Christmas ends on Dec. 10 with a light display from 6 p.m.-9 p.m. at the Fairgrounds.

The sponsors for Hometown Christmas include Bella Eve Boutique, Birthright, Montgomery County Historical Society, Fox & Fern Furnishings, Papa B’s Wing Shack, the Dry Dock, Laura’s Delights, Senior Health Consultants, Missouri Farm Bureau, Shelter Insurance, New Montgomery Florist, Montgomery Hardware, Manni’s By Maddie, Central Barber Shop, the Bank of Missouri, Milner Agency Real Estate, Second Place Grill, St. Jude’s Night Away and St. Vincent De Paul.

Anyone who would like to make a donation can contact Worsham (573-489-2778) or Chamber president Desiree Peak (573-220-5511).