The annual Dickens Christmas event is set to take place Saturday in downtown Warrensburg.

More than 20 downtown businesses are scheduled to participate in the event this year where shop windows feature local artists at work. The daylong event will feature horse and wagon rides, live music, strolling carolers, chestnuts roasting on an open fire and a tree lighting ceremony.

Children from the Early Childhood Opportunity Center in Warrensburg will decorate the Christmas tree located on the Johnson County Courthouse lawn. The tree lighting will be at 4:30 p.m. with Mayor Robin Allen and Presiding County Commissioner Bill Gabel officiating.

Father Christmas will be part of the festival along with Askew Theater performers strolling down the streets as Dickens characters.

There will be a live nativity on the courthouse lawn. Boy Scout Troop 673 will be selling holiday pine wreaths. There will also be cookie decorating at Old Drum Coffeehouse and live musical performances by local musicians such as New Century Dulcimer, Becker Family and Center Stage Academy of the Performing Arts. Joshua Taft, assistant professor at UCM, will present a program on Charles Dickens titled “God Bless Us Everyone: Dickens & the Meaning of Christmas” at 3 p.m. at Heroes Restaurant.

This year’s event will also include “Tiny Tim’s Soup Contest.” Participating local downtown businesses will have a soup featured in their store for the contest. Customers can purchase a $5 ticket to taste each of the many soups entered into the contest from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. At the end of the day, the judging sheets will be totaled and a winner will be announced. Tickets can be purchased in the Warrensburg Main Street office located at 111 N. Holden St.

For more information, call 660-429-3988 or visit www.warrensburgmainstreet.com.