By GARTH SNOW

gsnow@kpcmedia.com

Huntertown Holiday Hopper will allow guests to park at any of six stops around Huntertown and ride a shuttle to stores throughout town. Shoppers can catch the free shuttle from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday. Many stores will be open before and after those hours.

Holiday Hopper is just the first of many Huntertown Christmas activities that continue this weekend and deep into December.

Sherry Myers of Well Grounded Cafe is helping to organize and publicize many of the events to enrich the holiday season while calling attention to Huntertown itself.

“Huntertown’s growing and our fear is that people won’t know Huntertown,” Myers said. “People stop in and say ‘I had no idea this coffee shop was here’ or ‘I had no idea you could take cooking classes in Huntertown, Indiana, or you can get a dress for a holiday party.’ ”

Those discoveries will abound Saturday, as Greg Krempel drives the 15-passenger shuttle throughout Huntertown. Shoppers will find specials, or coffee or gift certificates.

Park-and-ride locations are:

• Lima Plank South. Visit Wholesome Roots, Classic Cuts, New Old Again, Well Grounded Cafe and The Process/Josh’s Jungle. Discover extra, pop-up vendors at Wholesome Roots and Well Grounded Cafe.

• Lima Plank North. Visit Wizard’s World Pinball, From This Day Forward and Love, Katiedid Forever Floral.

• Santa at Town Hall. Visit with Santa from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

• Sweet Sanity. Donate to the Huntertown Family Park fundraiser and receive a free children’s book. Gift cards available.

• Feder’s Meats. Free samples to everyone.

• The Chocolate Thimble.

Myers said sites will be marked so shoppers can drive instead of taking the shuttle if they choose. “If people get to one business and it’s too full they can go to another,” she said.

Her own Well Grounded Cafe will be open from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. The holiday specialties will be ready: Snowflake Latte, Peppermint Mocha Latte and Sleigh Ride Frappe.

Myers stressed that other stories also will post extended hours and will offer specials.

The extra vendors will add a new dimension, she said. “So it will be more than it appears — clothing boutiques and crafts and cooking, and gift certificate experiences such as cooking classes,” she said.

Saturday is just the beginning of Christmas in Huntertown.

• Santa will have plenty of help finding the Christmas tree when the town gathers from 5-6 p.m. Sunday evening at Huntertown Family Park. The Christmas music will call attention to Santa’s destination at 2302 Woods Road. Also, guests are asked to bring kid-friendly flashlights to light a path and help guide Santa to the Christmas tree. Santa will be available for photos at 5:15. Expect the tree to light up at about 6 p.m. Parking will be available at the park; in the event of inclement weather, park at PLS. Children are reminded to write a letter to put in Santa’s mailbox. Hot chocolate and coffee will be served. Organizers ask guests to bring food items to donate to the local outdoor food pantry.

• Huntertown Woodworkers, 16471 Lima Road, will host a handmade crafts and gifts sale from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. each day, Dec. 2, 3 and 4. The sale promises “hard-to-find gifts for hard-to-buy-for friends.”

• Santa’s Stop & Shop promises youngsters a 15-minute time slot to shop for their loved ones. Hours are Dec. 3 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Well Grounded Cafe, 15417 Lima Road. There is no charge. Donations support From This Day Forward wedding and events ministry. Register at www.fromthisdayforwardministry.org. The ministry asks the public to donate items in new or like-new condition. Clearance shoppers are asked to scour stores for jewelry, books, game and puzzles and the like. Find a list of suggestions at the website.

• Come to 2331 Main St. from 5-8 p.m. Dec. 9 for Sweets with Santa. Get photos taken with Mr. and Mrs. Claus, take a horse-drawn wagon ride, get a face-painting and listen to Monster Beatz DJ. Enjoy sweets from local businesses, hot dogs and chips and hot chocolate and visit the photo booth. Sponsored by Bella Innovative Modern Cabinetry, EMS Inc., and the host location — Fire & Ice Heating & Cooling.

• Experience Breakfast with Santa from 9:30-11 a.m. Dec. 17 at Heritage Mission, 1825 Shoaff Road. Tickets are $20. Register at www.fromthisdayforwardministry.org. Admission includes breakfast, a visit with Santa, story time with Mrs. Claus, cookie decorating and a special gift. From This Day Forward sponsors Breakfast with Santa.

GARTH SNOW