Staff Writer

Those looking for something fun and festive to do can enjoy breakfast with Santa Claus and some holiday shopping this Saturday.

Members of the Troy Junior Women’s League have spent months planning and preparing for the eighth annual Breakfast with Santa and even added a holiday bazaar.

Santa’s sleigh will arrive just in time for the breakfast, which will be 8:30-10:30 a.m. at the Pike County Cattlemen’s Complex on U.S. Highway 231. The bazaar will be 8:30 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Tickets are $3 and get you in to the breakfast and the bazaar. Children age 2 and under will be admitted free of charge.

Pam Strickland, publicity chairwoman for the Troy Junior Women’s League, said the club is looking forward to a successful fundraiser.

"The children love to come have breakfast with Santa and give them their lists," Strickland said. "It is so wonderful to see so many children in one place, having a great time during the holiday season."

Members of the women’s club have watched the wonderment in children’s eyes and hope this year’s addition of the bazaar will help parents and other adults get some of their holiday shopping done.

Strickland said 36 vendors will be selling everything from handmade candles and handbags to Christmas ornaments and woodcrafts.

"There is something for everyone," Strickland said.

In addition to having many gift ideas filling the Cattlemen’s Complex, there will be entertainment from local dance schools ­ The Studio and Troy School of Dance ­ as well as the Dixie Darlings and SheBang cloggers. The Pike County Firefighters Association will also have its fire safety house on display.

The event is meant to be fun, but it also benefits a number of organizations.

Strickland said the Troy Junior Women’s League has supported charities and events, such as the renovation of Murphree Park, Relay for Life, March of Dimes, Pike County Junior Miss Program, Pike County Christmas Program, Colley Senior Complex, Pike County Cattlemen’s Complex, Jean Lake Festival (art area for children), Troy Public Library and Sav-A-Life. The club also sponsors an annual scholarship for a deserving female high school senior from Pike County.

"What a wonderful way for people to donate to charity and have fun doing it," Strickland said of Saturday’s Breakfast with Santa and Holiday Bazaar.