Santa arrives during the Winter Wonderland Parade. VisitSoutheastIndiana.com.   WINTER WONDERLAND ICE SKATING RINK SCHEDULE Located at the Lawrenceburg City Pool Pavilion on Tate Street December 1 through January 27   Ice Rink Hours Tuesday-Thursday 4:00-8:00 p.m. Friday 4:00-9:00 p.m. Saturday 12:00-9:00 p.m. Sunday 12:00-8:00 p.m. Closed Monday   Christmas Break Schedule Dec. 22-Jan. 5 12:00-9:00 p.m. Except Christmas Eve 12:00-3:00 p.m. Closed Christmas Day New Years Eve 12:00-6:00 p.m.

(Lawrenceburg, Ind.) - Lawrenceburg ushers in the Christmas season this weekend, complete with a parade, ice skating, and Santa Claus.

Lawrenceburg Winter Wonderland is put on the first Saturday in December each year by Lawrenceburg Main Street. The family event is a present to area residents all for free.

Lawrenceburg Main Street Executive Director Pat Krider is excited even though the weather won't provide a Winter feel. Temperatures Saturday are forecasted in the low 60s.

"We had great weather last year. Previous years we've had everything from snow storms to sleet and freezing cold. So we are absolutely thrilled with the weather forecast," she said.

Krider says her organization and city employees have been hard at work in recent weeks getting downtown ready for the celebration.

The festivities start Saturday at 10:00 a.m. and continue into the evening at various downtown Lawrenceburg locations. There will be music, food, drawings, and businesses will be open to welcome guests. Many of the events will be held inside the Winter Wonderland tent set up at the corner of High and Short streets.

The Winter Wonderland and PAWS Pet Parade begins at 2:00 at Central Elementary School and rolls down Walnut Street. The parade will be capped with the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Lawrenceburg’s official Christmas tree-lighting takes place at 5:30 outside City Hall. Free food and hot chocolate will be offered starting at 4:30 as long as supplies last.

The ice skating rink – free to all on Saturday – at the city pool pavilion opens at 3:00. The Winter Wonderland Ice Rink will remain open through January 27, 2013 free of charge to Lawrenceburg city residents. Out of towners will be charged a small fee for skate rental.

"(The rink) is going to be open eight weeks this year, longer than years past," Krider said. "We've had those requests to keep it open later in the year."

A complete schedule of Lawrenceburg Winter Wonderland events can be found on the Lawrenceburg Main Street website, www.ThinkLawrenceburg.com.