(Corrects location of blood drive to YMCA)

Atlantic welcomes the Christmas season with a Grand Lighting ceremony this evening, beginning at 5. The event takes place at the Historic Rock Island Depot on North Chestnut Street, and features entertainment, as well as hot dogs. Santa will arrive on his helicopter (weather permitting), for his first official visit of the year, also at the Depot. Santa’s cabin will be open in the Atlantic City Park (between 6th/ 7th Streets and Chesnut/Poplar), from 6-until 7:30-p.m.

There’s also a Blood Drive today (Thursday), from Noon until 6-p.m. at the Nishna Valley Family YMCA. This Saturday, it’s the 2016 Atlantic Rotary Auction beginning at 5:30-p.m., also at the Cass County Community Center.

For more on Christmas season events in Atlantic, go to www.christmasinatlantic.com