A tree lighting will take place Saturday at 5:30 p.m. at Dunkirk City Hall.

Saturday’s second edition of Dunkirk’s Christmas on Central event has seen a surge in interest from vendors.

“We’re over 90 right now,” said Ryan Hall, the city’s festival and events coordinator. There were about 50 last year, he said.

“It was such a successful event last year, (with) word of mouth,” more vendors got interested in attending, Hall said.

The additional vendors meant the city had to add more space for them. They will not only be set up in the former P&G store and nearby spots outside on Central Avenue – this year, vendors will also be at the Elks Club and in the Northern Chautauqua Catholic School (NCCS) gym on Washington Avenue.

Also, part of Washington Avenue will be blocked near the police station for even more vendors.

Hall said there will be “a wide variety” of vendors. “We have organic soaps, jewelry, clothes, tons of Bills merchandise,” he said.

Hall added that downtown Dunkirk businesses will also participate.

“I’m praying that we have decent weather this Saturday,” he said.

The event is set for 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. It will feature much more than vendors.

Horse drawn carriage rides will be offered, with two wagons provided by Laff ‘N Lyon Ranch, from noon to 4 p.m.

There will be children’s holiday craft-making in the Stearns Building from noon to 4 p.m. The kids are also invited to a cookie frost in the NCCS gym from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus, Rudolph and the elves will hang out at City Hall from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Ice sculpture carving demonstrations by Jamestown Ice & Storage will go on in Stearns Court starting at 11 a.m.

Live music at City Hall will include DJ Joe Gould at 11 a.m., Slim & Red at 1 p.m. and Footsteps at 3 p.m. At 5 p.m., holiday dancers from McKenna Academy of Dance and Danza! The Performing Arts Academy will do their thing at City Hall.

Mayor Wilfred Rosas will conduct his final lighting of Dunkirk’s annual City Hall Christmas tree at 5:30 p.m. Rosas did not run for re-election.

The event is presented by event sponsor Universal Stainless Steel in Dunkirk. Other sponsors include the New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities.

There will also be a shopping map available at the event promoting participating vendors and some of the other holiday deals and savings taking place at other local businesses throughout the city.