The Business Economic Council and the Lehigh Acres Chamber of Commerce are bringing Christmas to Lehigh Acres this week with their first annual Christmas Market holiday program. It’s being held on the side lawn at the new offices of the Lehigh Acres Chamber of Commerce in the Lehigh Towne Centre on Homestead Rd., at the Alabama Rd. intersection. the event is on the north side of the shopping center. There is ample parking.

The community is invited to attend the three-day affair which began Thursday at 4 p.m. and continued to 10 p.m. Hours on Friday are from 4 to 10 p.m. with a variety of events planned for the three-event. Saturday’s hours are from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

The Christmas Market will have an European flair with unique booths set up by vendors on the grounds. There are also an ample amount of white chairs for seating for visitors who want to enjoy the entertainment.

Vendors selling all types of crafts and other items for the holidays will be open from 4 to 10 p.m. while Christmas music will be provided.

Vendors keep their profits and the Chamber makes money at its food booth and at its beer booth.

Santa Claus may be on hand to have his picture with with the children of Lehigh and a special attraction for the first year of the Christmas Market, according to Edd Weiner, chairman of the Lehigh Business Council, is a display of “Waltzing Waters.”

“You’re not going to believe how beautiful this is,” Weiner said.

The Waltzing Waters display will occur each night through Saturday.

In addition to Santa’s arrival and all the vendors, there will be Latin holiday music, a fashion show, picture time with models and also a “Christkindll Picture Time.”

Prior to the “Waltzing Waters” show on Friday, there will be Christmas music between 6:30 and 8 p.m.

Also featured on Saturday – the whole day event – will be Irish dancers, Tami Gill with TC and Tom, a fashion show and picture time with models and then finalizing with Waltzing Waters.

Weiner says the event is for all the people of Lehigh and surrounding areas and he promises some interesting things for sale at the various vendors’ booths.

“I think it’s going to a fun affair and that the people will enjoy themselves,” he said.