Santa Claus makes the rounds after arriving at last year’s Christmas in the County at the Mower County Historical Society at the fairgrounds. -- Herald file photo

Christmas time is here, which means more than just A Charlie Brown Christmas. It also means Christmas in the County is right around the corner.

Christmas in the County takes place 3-7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10 at the Mower County Fairgrounds near the Mower County Historical Society, and there’s plenty to do this time.

“It’s a lot of fun to put on,” said Dustin Heckman, executive director of the Mower County Historical Society.

For the seventh annual Christmas in the County, there’s plenty of activities for families looking for some old-fashioned fun. The ever-popular horse-drawn sleigh rides are back. Everyone will also have the chance to climb into the 1004 steam engine and blow the whistle.

“A lot of people enjoy that, whether they’re 5-years-old or 80-years-old,” Heckman said.

The popular bake sale is back, though adults have a chance to get some good deals 4-6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9, at the administration building. This is your chance to buy Christmas cookies, lefse and other Christmas treats before the Saturday extravaganza.

Families can spend quality time working together on crafts like ornament making, decorating cookies, and making pinecone bird feeders. Be sure to get your ornaments done early, however: They’re pretty popular among children.

“We run out of them no matter how many we plan for,” Heckman said. “We always run out.”

Homemade chili and hot dog meals will be for sale as well.

Visitors can buy raffle tickets to win a homemade quilt. Tickets are $1 each or 6 for $5. They can be purchased at the MCHS office or from volunteers. The silent auction will include items for everyone in the family. Items will include collector coin sets, a variety of baskets, toy tractors, an autographed Percy Harvin photo, and ticket vouchers and T-shirts from the Austin Bruins. Bids can be placed during Saturday’s activities until 6:45 p.m.

In the event of inclement weather, the Pre-Sale Bake Sale will run as scheduled. The Saturday activities will be moved back to Dec. 17 from 3 to 7 p.m. Watch and listen for weather related announcements on local TV or radio stations.

Admission is free but donations are accepted. To help with the bake sale or for more information, call the Mower County Historical Society at 507-437-6082.