By JESSA PEASE / Staff Writer

CALERA— Kick off the holiday season with shopping, letters to Santa and spirited entertainment at the Calera Chamber of Commerce’s second annual Christmas Village and Craft Sale Nov. 21.

From noon to 5 p.m. about 45 vendors will supply gift and handmade items for guests to peruse while enjoying eight performing groups. Executive director of the chamber, Jennifer Hand, said the groups vary from choirs to dance groups to bands from Calera.

“What we wanted to do was bring the community together for another Christmas event during the day while the parade was at night,” Hand said of the first Christmas Village last year.

With eight performing groups and 42 vendors, Hand said they hoped for between 300 and 500 attendees. Instead they had more than 1,000 people show up and many stayed all day, according to Hand.

“We were overwhelmed with success last year,” Hand said. “It really turned into a great community event. We are pumped that this is now an event in Calera that people look forward to.”

Hand said people were contacting her in April about this year’s village, and the Chamber’s social media has received increased traffic related to the 2015 Christmas Village.

The city teams up with the chamber and provides photos with Santa Claus, and many chamber members and residents sponsor other free activities. Children can enjoy free “reindeer food,” write letters to Santa and play on jumpers.

Guests will also be entered to win four tickets on the North Pole Express Heart of Dixie Railroad. There will also be a giveaway for whoever can find the hidden elf in one of the chamber member’s businesses.

The whole day is just a chance to interact with the community and gain exposure for the local merchants in Calera, according to Hand. It also gives members of junior chamber program experience in hosting events.

This is one of the events the junior members participate in to earn their scholarships. They make the hot chocolate, direct vendors, help with parents and assist with park, among other things.

“It was a really great experience for them (last year),” Hand said. “They are really looking forward to reaching out to the community again and letting them know about the program.”

For more information about the 2015 Christmas Village, visit Calerachamber.org.