Holiday activities will center in Mathews this weekend starting with Santa Claus sitting with children for photos at the Mathews County Visitor and Information Center Friday evening. The Mathews County Christmas Parade, "Mathews County, a Way of Life," is scheduled for Saturday.

Parents are encouraged to bring cameras to take their own photos of children with Santa at MCVIC between 4-7 p.m. Friday, according to Ann Miller, director of the Center.

Also on Friday night, American Legion Post 83, Mathews will hold its tree lighting, dinner and Christmas party beginning at 6 o’clock at the post headquarters on Hookemfair Road.

Saturday’s parade will begin at 1 p.m. from Thomas Hunter Middle School, traveling along Main Street to the Bank of America building. Members of Boy Scout and Cub Scout Troop #124 are asking residents to bring canned food items to be collected during the parade; to be donated to Hands Across Mathews. Den leader Bobby Layden said the boys are trying...