ASSORTED CHRISTMAS ITEMS — Many vendors sold Christmas decorations, sweet treats and other merchandise during Focus in Toronto’s Christmas Art Festival, which moved this year to Baby-Boyz BBQ’s Straka Hall to coincide with Miracle on Toronto’s Fourth Street, a holiday-themed street fair organized by volunteers with Inspire Toronto. -- Warren Scott

TORONTO — There was much to see and do in the Gem City on Saturday evening as many volunteers, businesses and others came together to present two Christmas-themed events along North Fourth Street.

Members of Inspire Toronto organized a street fair dubbed Miracle on Toronto’s Fourth Street that included the lighting of a 21-foot Christmas tree at the corner of North Fourth and Clark streets, a visit by Santa and Mrs. Claus, a portable ice skating rink and rides aboard a lighted miniature train.

Entertainment was provided by Magic Jamie, the rock band Ebenezer and the Humbugs and disc jockey Dave Ott of the Last Resort Riverfront Bar & Grill.

Members of Focus in Toronto, another volunteer group, presented many vendors selling Christmas-related items, sweet treats and other merchandise suited for holiday giving inside Straka Hall, the spacious rental hall operated by Baby-Boyz BBQ.

Several vendors also could be found outside the hall on North Fourth Street.

AN ARRAY OF LIGHTS — The lighting of the 21-foot Christmas tree at corner of North Fourth and Clark streets was a highlight of the Miracle on Toronto’s Fourth Street Christmas celebration organized by volunteers with Inspire Toronto Saturday evening. In addition to live entertainment and activities for children, the event coincided with Focus in Toronto’s Christmas Arts Festival, which also was held on Fourth Street at Straka Hall. -- Warren Scott

Julie Ault, one of Focus in Toronto’s leaders, said it was just the start of holiday activities for the volunteer group, which has organized the city’s Christmas parade for the last 20 years.

The parade will return to North Fourth Street at 5:30 p.m. Sunday with assorted floats, many of them lighted; emergency vehicles and the Toronto High School Marching Band, among other participants.

Ault noted prizes will go to three top floats and one top dancing group, and registration forms can be found at https://focusintoronto.com.

Lineup for the parade will be at 5 p.m. on North Third Street.

Following the parade, Santa Claus will be on hand to meet with children at the city’s Gazebo Commons, and parents are welcome to take photos.

The group also is preparing for its Christmas home decorating contest, for which registration forms and dates of judging also will be posted on its website.

To give residents and visitors a view of the many local homes that are decked out for Christmas, Focus in Toronto will be providing rides aboard holiday-themed trailers.

Dates for the rides also will be posted soon.

Ault said proceeds from them, the Christmas festival and the Toronto Art Festival held each Labor Day go to such causes as the Helping Hands Food Pantry, Toys for Toronto, a toy drive for children in need spearheaded by Crossroads North River Church; and Christmas with a Cop, in which Toronto police officers provide gifts and coats to children in need.

During Saturday’s opening ceremonies, Inspire Toronto presented donations to the three causes. Helping Hands received $1,500 while Toys for Toronto and Christmas with a Cop each received $500.

Delivering a welcome to the many in attendance, Mayor John Parker thanked volunteers behind the celebration, including Inspire Toronto’s leaders, Abby LeMasters, Lish Troski and Toni Moreland.

The trio expressed appreciation to city crews for their assistance in setting up the streets, to the many volunteers involved, and to individuals, businesses and groups that served as sponsors.

They included Priority Life Care, the street fair’s title sponsor.

Debbie Petras, vice president of corporate soul for the business, said she was happy to be able to give back to her hometown.

The event involved many local businesses.

Sarah Phillips only recently moved her bakery, Kitch’s Kitchen, to North Fourth Street, where she will be adding hot food for breakfast and lunch to its offerings.

As kind of a trial run, she and her staff served up haluski, pepperoni rolls and other hot items as well as the assortment of doughnuts, cookies and other sweet treats its regular customers have come to appreciate.

Tay Montgomery, owner of the Eastern Ohio Speed and Agility Academy, watched as children engaged in a limbo, ring toss and other free games in the gym at his business.

Asked how he felt to be involved in the event, he said, “It feels great. It’s just a blessing that we have an opportunity to give back.”

Members of the EOSAA Track Team and Toronto High School’s Beta Club and National Honor Society supervised the children as they played.

Among many parents who came into the gym to warm up and work off some of their children’s extra energy was Basil Rolle of Toronto.

As he watched his 5-year-old son, Cyprus, playing golf, he said of the celebration, “It’s nice that a small town like this came together to do this.”