At their recent meeting, Panama Village Board members discussed upcoming Christmas events and contests. P-J photo by Sara Holthouse

PANAMA — The village of Panama is preparing for its main Christmas events and contests for the upcoming Christmas season.

Christmas in Panama is set for Saturday. Besides the last few preparations such as getting the mailbox for the kids to send letters to Santa in to the church, the village is ready. Carriage rides are set for 10 a.m. to noon and Santa will be there from noon-2 p.m.

Village Trustee Kim Davis reported that there are four other events happening around on that day that may end up competing with the event, but also that they are packed with vendors who will be there to sell their items.

“There may be four other events around, but I don’t think they offer all of the stuff that we are offering,” Mayor William Schneider said.

Panama Auto Center will also have an open house as part of Christmas in Panama. Their official ribbon-cutting with the Chamber of Commerce and local dignitaries and officials is happening on Friday.

The village is collecting $15 per table for Christmas in Panama, with money going toward fire hall renovations and getting them items from their Amazon list.

Panama’s other big Christmas event is the sixth annual light contest. In past years, voting has been only online, but the village has received comments about that.

“I almost like going back to the old fashioned way, like you have to vote in person with a ballot at one of the businesses, to get people to come to the businesses,” Davis said.

The village discussed having residents pick up one ballot per person at any local business. Ballots will give people the option to pick their favorite and the village will do a first, second and third prize depending on the number of votes. First prize will be $100 and second and third will both be $50.

It is not required to sign up to be a part of the competition, rather if a resident has lights up they will be considered a part of the competition. Ballots will be collected on Dec. 18. A promotion to let people know to get their lights out will be going up before the December meeting. Voting is expected to last from around Dec. 8 to 18.