WEST POINT – The Greater Valley Chambers of Commerce is bringing a holiday event back to life after a few years being dormant.

HolidayFest on the River kicks off at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Downtown West Point River Park. Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Ashley Crane said this is a spin-off from a former event called Winter Fest in West Point, but put the chamber is putting its own mark on it.

“We took the idea behind the event and tried to incorporate something that has been done before but not everything,” she said. “We want to make it our own.”

First and foremost, there is free admission to the event. There will be food vendors and food trucks available and about 40 arts and craft vendors with items to purchase.

Moreover, there will be several events for children throughout the day. Crane said there will be laser tag, video games inside and outside, a train for kids to ride, inflatables for big and small children, kid crafts, ornament making and letters to Santa Claus.

Speaking of Mr. Claus, Crane said Kris Kringle will be making two appearances Saturday afternoon.

He will first make an appearance in the morning from 10 a.m. to noon with WCJM 100.9 radio. After a short break, Santa will return with friends from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Another station Saturday will have an Ident-A-Kid station with the West Point Fire Department. Parents can have their child fingerprinted and uploaded with the Ident-A-Kid system so in case of an emergency, more information will be available to more people.

Crane said the chamber is hoping to build on the success of prior events like the St. Paddy’s on the River this past March.

“That went over really well, and we wanted to host another event,” she said. “This event helps to kick off the holiday shopping season, and the chamber of commerce wants everybody to understand the importance of shopping local.”

She said local restaurants and businesses will get good exposure during the event and there will be a few home businesses on hand who may not usually see considerable foot traffic.

“We have such a wonderful community and service area we serve as the chamber,” Crane said. “Anytime we have a chance to promote local businesses it just helps bring awareness to the area.”

Even though the event is in West Point, it’s not just for that community, she said. The chamber wants to see the entire region out Saturday morning into the afternoon.

“It’s an event for the entire Greater Valley Area,” she said. 

For more information on the event, visit the chamber of commerce’s website at www.greatervalleyarea.com.