A 43 foot tree, donated by a city resident, was delivered and set up Augusta’s Market Square on Saturday morning. Photos and video by staff photographer Joe Phelan.

Though Thanksgiving is still a few days away, organizers are looking ahead to the Christmas season and planning a number of activities that will kick off Saturday around the city and along Water Street.

Among the activities planned for Saturday are: Santa’s Stroll through Augusta, from noon-2:30 p.m. in Augusta neighborhoods; paper snowflake craft, from noon-3 p.m. at Lithgow Public Library; Christmas at the Fort, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at Old Fort Western with Father Christmas, miniature ponies and homemade gingerbread; a gingerbread-themed village contest, scavenger hunt and story walk, all day on Water Street; horse-drawn wagon rides from 2-4 p.m. on Water Street; and a North Pole Gingerbread Village from 2:30-5 p.m. at Market Square.

Festivities culminate with a holiday tree-lighting ceremony at 5 p.m. at Market Square, followed by fireworks at 5:30 p.m.