In previous years, the Osseo holiday celebration has always included the official tree lighting in Boerboom Veterans Park and pictures with Santa.

This year, more fun for the entire family has been added to the 2009 Hometown Holiday Celebration, which takes place Friday, Dec. 4, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. in Boerboom Park in downtown Osseo.

Everyone who attends can enjoy free hot dogs, s'mores, cider, hot cocoa and coffee, all while listening to holiday music provided by area choirs.

This year there will be a parade along Central Avenue, which includes decorated fire trucks. Scheduled to be in the parade lineup is the Osseo Legion Color Guard, Osseo Police Department, Osseo Fire Department decorated trucks, Hennepin County Sheriff's Office, Champlin Park Marching Band, National Guard, U.S. Marine Corp Reserve, St. Paul Vulcans, Toys for Tots and of course, Santa.

Visitors will also be able to get rides on the fire trucks.

The bonfire will be on the street, not on Central Avenue, but between Boerboom Park and Realife Cooperative on Fifth Street N.E.

There will also be a ribbon cutting ceremony to recognize the completion of the new Central Avenue project.

New, unwrapped toy donations for Toys for Tots can still be dropped off until Dec. 11 at the following locations: Osseo-Maple Grove Press, Lynde's Restaurant, Osseo City Hall, Elite Promotions, Dick's Bar and Grill, Duffy's Bar and Grill, Becky Meierhofer State Farm Insurance, Heinen Motorsports, Osseo American Legion, Premier Bank, Segue Caf/ and A Novel Place.

Visitors should still bring a camera for pictures with Santa in the park after the official tree lighting ceremony and parade.

The following is a breakdown of times of the events during Osseo's Hometown Holiday Celebration:

5:30 to 6:30 p.m. - Osseo Senior High School Motet Choir will perform.

6 to 8:30 p.m. - Bonfire on Fifth Street N.E.

6 p.m. - Tree lighting ceremony in Boerboom Park. The Osseo Business Association 2009 volunteer of the year will throw the big switch.

6:05 p.m. - Parade starts.

6:15 p.m. - Ribbon cutting for new Central Avenue, on Central Avenue between Osseo City Hall and Boerboom Park.

6:30 p.m. - Santa arrives.

6:30 to 8:30 p.m. - Fire truck rides and pictures with Santa.

6:30 to 7:30 p.m. - Church of Nazarene Choir performs.

7:30 to 8:30 p.m.- Choir performs.

The Osseo Hometown Holiday Celebration is sponsored by the Osseo Business Association.