ESCANABA - The Downtown Development Authority (DDA) officially opened the downtown area for the holiday season Friday with a ribbon cutting event held at Center Court. Special events are continuing today to kick off the holiday shopping season.

As part of the event celebrating the official opening of the downtown area for holiday shopping, the William Bonifas Fine Arts Center is hosting a Holiday Arts Fair today.

The Holiday Arts Fair will feature 25 booths of selected arts, in addition to crafts and delights which can either be eaten immediately or saved until a later time in the freezer. The Holiday Arts Fair is at the William Bonifas Fine Arts Center, 700 1st Ave. South, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.

The Bonifas is also conducting a 'Downtown Holiday Walk' from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. today, allowing participants to visit businesses throughout the downtown area.

Downtown businesses featured as part of the walk are hosting local artists and their works. A charter bus is being made available for transportation to the various locations featured as part of the event, with a special stop being made at the First Presbyterian Church for any participant who may wish to donate blood.

Residents can have photos of their pets taken with Santa today, courtesy of the Delta County Animal Society. The fund-raising event begins at 9:30 at Pet Place, 1815 3rd Ave. N., with photos being taken by Jack Willette.There are five different packages to select from, including Christmas cards. All proceeds benefit the animal shelter's ongoing spay/neuter programs.

Events will be ongoing throughout the holiday season and all community events can be found by visiting the Delta Commerce Center's Web site at www.deltami.org or by calling the Commerce Center at 786-2192.