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The Christmas season officially arrives in Lehigh Acres this coming Saturday afternoon and evening, Dec. 6, on the lawn of Lehigh Regional Medical Center at 1500 Lee Blvd.

The tradition continues with Santa’s arrival, singing, and lots of refreshments and the turning on of the giant Christmas tree.

Maria Garcia, the hospital’s coordinator and Carmen Bech DeGarcia, the hospital’s human resources director, have been planning the big celebration now for several weeks.

Hundreds of people have turned out in previous years to usher in the holiday season.

Garcia said this year Santa will arrive on Saturday, at 4 p.m. on one of Lehigh Acres Fire Department’s big red fire trucks. The sirens will mark his arrival, probably atop an aerial ladder.

Santa will spend the next few hours visising with the kids and having their picture taken with him inside the hospital just off the lobby.

And Garcia said the photos are free.

“We’re happy to have Santa here to pose with the kids for Christmas. Each year, more kids turn out and that’s what we like to see,” Garcia said.

James Eckelberry of Lehigh, who owns his own photograph business, along with his wife, will take the photographs and hand them over to the kids within a minute or so.

This year, Patty’s Dance Studio will perform its Christmas Show in front of the hospital. The dance studio performs at many of Lehigh’s Christmas programs.

“Our hospital’s chief executive officer, Jose Morillo, will give his official Christmas welcome to the people of Lehigh and Santa will turn on the lights to the Christmas tree in front of the hospital.

Garcia also said the program will include the school chorus from Lehigh Senior High School.

“We’ll have Santa’s elves here, too, Garcia said.

The hospital is asking the community to remember those who are having hard times in a bad economy.

“It would be nice if those coming would bring a new toy, unwrapped, and food that is non perishable,” Garcia said.

“The toys and the food will go to Lehigh Community Services to help local families,” Garcia said.

Rev. Donald Rock, LRMC’s chaplain, will also be on hand to offer prayer.

The program begins at 4:30 p.m. with Santa’s arrival. A few minutes later, CEO Jose Morillo will welcome those to the program. From 5 to 6 p.m., Santa will visit with the kids and have their free pictures taken.

In addition to Patty’s Dance Studio and the chorus from Lehigh Senior High School, entertainment will include a performance by the Lehigh Children’s Choir, and Jeff Hampton’s playing the piano in the hospital’s cafeteria off of the lobby.

Hot chocolate and other refreshments will be served from 5 to 7 p.m. with the tree lighting taking place at 7 p.m. and a closing prayer by the hospital’s chaplain following the tree lighting.

“We want to community to turn out and enjoy themselves and the hospital wants everyone to have a happy and healthy holiday season,” Garcia said.

She and Carmen Bech DeGarcia have also been preparing decorations for the holiday season that will be displayed throughout the hospital.

The ushering in of the Christmas holidays is the biggest event in Lehigh as the holiday season approaches.