Mark Dec. 10 on your calendar as completely booked: holiday events in Wellman will keep you active and engaged for the entire day.

Let the kids sleep in while you begin your day at the Wellman Fire Station, where you can pick up free toys from 9 – 11 a.m., thanks to the generosity of residents, Dollar General employees, and the Wellman Volunteer Fire Department.

Head home for a short break to wrap or hide those gifts, then ready the kids for a visit to the Wellman-Scofield Public Library for its annual Christmas party from 1:45 to 2:45 p.m.  Here, kids can craft ornaments, decorate a cardboard gingerbread house, and color Christmas trees.  The first 100 children will receive a tote bag they can color at home.

Step outside the Library into downtown, where Santa will make his triumphant return on a fire truck at 2:50 p.m.  Kids can let Father Christmas know what they would like to receive in their stockings this year, and in return, he will gift them a new book, courtesy of the library.

Soak up the holiday spirit with free hot chocolate and cookies provided by the Wellman Community Club while listening to holiday music and socializing downtown.  At 4:45 p.m., the business and home decorating contest winners will be announced; the business winner will receive a traveling trophy, and the homeowner will receive $50. 

When darkness falls at 5 p.m., the city’s Christmas tree will Light the Night, the official name of the night’s festivities.

Once Santa departs at 5:30 p.m., the fun doesn’t have to end.  Head down 6th Street a few blocks to Wellman Skating Rink, where it’s open skate time from 6:30 to 9 p.m.  Admission is $6, but there is no skate rental fee.