ST. CLAIRSVILLE — Despite the seasonably hot weather, it’s time to get into the holiday spirit.

St. Clairsville Main Street Small Business Association will be hosting its annual Christmas in July event on Saturday. The festivities kick off at noon and continue until 5 p.m., aiming to provide fun for the entire family.

Food and drink specials, sidewalk sales, photos with Santa, vendors, music, face painting and cornhole will line Main Street in St. Clairsville to create a fun and festive atmosphere while providing residents the opportunity to support local small businesses.

Not only will Santa CLaus be in attendance, but the Grinch will be taking photos with attendees as well. Organizers said he assured them that he has no plans to steal Christmas in July.

The event will also host a scavenger hunt for attendees, who can attempt to find the Elf on the Shelf.

Attendees can pick up their scavenger hunt map at any of the participating businesses that line Main Street. Hunters are to visit each participating business. After they pick up their scavenger hunt map, they are to get the map stamped at each participating location.

After completing the map, participants can return their map to any participating business for the chance to win multiple prizes from a drawing on Sunday.

The local businesses participating are Giacinta’s Gelato and Caffe, Envy Salon, It’s All About You Salon, Cedar One Realty, C&J Moments Photography, Melting Pot Marketplace, Vine and Ivy Formal Wear, The Main Salon and Boutique, Spark Tech Repair, Whispering Willow Boutique, Papa D’s Pizza, Fur Pets Sake Resale Boutique, Pizza Milano, Audrey’s Avenue Kitchen & Bar, the Belmont County Heritage Museum and Newellstown Diner.

Audrey’s Avenue Kitchen & Bar and Giacinta’s Gelato and Caffe owner and operator Audrey Brahler has been not only an advocate of the St. Clairsville Main Street Small Business group but an active participant.

“The Christmas in July event is one of the many events that our small business association hosts throughout the year, and it’s just a really good way to get the businesses together to coordinate, whether it be sales, themes, or whatnot, to bring more people downtown and bring the downtown awareness,” she said. “We’ve really been continuing to thrive with our goal to help the small businesses on Main Street by doing these events, and we’ve started to see a lot of growth on Main Street since.”

Brahler added that this year’s event will also include Mayor Kathryn Thalman’s annual bike parade, which is usually held July 4.

Thalman and the Main Street Small Business Association decided to team up and host the annual parade during the Christmas in July event so that kids can decorate their bikes in Christmas colors.

According to the city of St. Clairsville’s website, children from birth to 15 years old are encouraged to decorate their bikes, scooters, wagons, etc. All non-motorized vehicles are welcomed to be ridden, pushed or pulled.

Brahler said she is most looking forward to seeing the community show its support.

“It’s always great to see our regulars of the community, but to meet new members as well and just let them know what Main Street is all about,” she said.