ELLINWOOD — The Ellinwood Chamber of Commerce will host a "Hometown Christmas" from 4-? p.m. this Saturday with stores serving refreshments and having specials.

Stores will be open extended hours, and Santa Claus will be listening to Christmas wishes from 4-6 p.m. at the Ellinwood American Family Insurance location. Santa will arrive by fire truck. Free hot chocolate will be served.

Ellinwood Grade School children will perform at 4:30 p.m. inside at the Susan Brown building at 1st & Main on the east side of the street.

The chamber will have a Christmas Promo Card for chances to win a gift certificate. Some will be drawn Saturday, and some will be drawn Dec. 21.

The Ellinwood Historical Society will present programs at 5 and 6:30 p.m. "We Remember – Christmas" will be presented by Mary Jo Cunningham. It will be a compilation of Christmases of years past as remembered by current and former area residents of Ellinwood. She will talk of Belsnickel, the fur clad Santa of Southwest Germany and how he appeared to the children of this area, the special cookie baking which happened weeks before the holiday and the Tannenbaum or Christmas tree along with what presents children received. Many people shared their experiences to assist in bringing this program to "Hometown Christmas," said Cunningham.

The Ellinwood Community Historical Society will be at the Heritage Club at 103 N. Main from 4 to 8 p.m. They will have goodies and cider, handmade cutters by a master tinsmith, twined mats to be placed under hot dishes on the counter or table, and a free cookie cutter and recipe for the children. A donation will allow a chance to win a model train set from the Golden Belt Model Railroad Association on Dec. 15. Visitors will be entertained with Christmas music by Ron Kelly. The story of the first Christmas tree in Barton County will be told. Come find out what you would have received as a special gift during Christmas of long ago in Ellinwood, said Cunningham.