Press file photo A quick visit: Expect to see Santa in the Grand Rapids Jaycees Santa Parade on Saturday.

GRAND RAPIDS -- Ready or not, here he comes!

Christmas is just around the corner, and Santa Claus is leading the way. This weekend marks the official start of the holiday season, with the first Santa Claus parades of the year kicking off in sev- eral West Michigan communities.

The Grand Rapids Jaycees Santa Parade -- perhaps the largest parade of the season -- is set for 10 a.m. Saturday in downtown Grand Rapids. This marks the 40th year the Jaycees have sponsored the family-friendly event.

"It's the traditional signature kick-off of the holiday season in West Michigan," said Nick Wasmiller, a member of the Jaycees' board of directors and a past parade co-chair.

"People need a little cheering up, and this is just the ticket to get in the holiday mood."

Press Photo/T.J. HamiltonA bus toured through the scenes of New York City in one of the song and dance numbers during the Radio City Christmas Spectacular with the Rockettes.

The Radio City Christmas Spectacular is unapologetically exuberant, relentlessly radiant and shamelessly uplifting.

In other words, the extravaganza is precisely the type of escapist entertainment that we all could use right about now. The 90 minute spectacular, starring the world-famous Radio City Rockettes, completely envelops the audience with infectious holiday cheer. Only a bonafide Grinch would be able to resist the sparkling costumes, brilliantly choreographed dance routines and charming glamour of the Rockettes.

The dancers appeared Wednesday night for a sold-out show at Van Andel Arena. Some tickets remain for two shows Thursday. The multimillion-dollar production will hit arenas in 18 cities throughout the Midwest and South.

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Thanks to everyone who entered the online contest for a family pack of four tickets to Wednesday night's "Radio City Christmas Spectacular" starring the world-famous Rockettes.

We had more than 220 entries, with lots of people itching to check out the big show.

Our lucky winner was Joanne Eighmey, of Wyoming. Eighmey not only got her submission in on time -- with four minutes to spare! -- but guessed the correct answer to the question: In the Rockettes' performance number, "Here Comes Santa Claus," 40 cast members -- not just the Rockettes, but other actors and dancers -- appear dressed as the Jolly Old Elf himself. About how many yards of red velvet are used to make all those Santa costumes?

The correct answer was (C) 850 yards.

Thanks for playing and congrats to Joanne. I hope everyone enjoys the show!

E-mail Tricia Woolfenden: twoolfenden@grpress.com

Reminder: There's only one more day to enter to win a family pack of four free tickets to the opening performance of the "Radio City Christmas Spectacular" at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in Van Andel Arena. The ticket giveaway is courtesy of The Press, Madison Square Garden Entertainment and Wondergem Consulting Inc.

For those who don't win, here's the low-down; the shows are 7:30 p.m. Wednesday and 2 and 7:30 p.m. Thursday. Tickets are $27.50, $44.50 and $64.50 through Ticketmaster or by calling 456-3333.

OK, now about those free tickets. Simply answer this question, and you will be entered in the random drawing for the ticket giveaway.

GRAND RAPIDS -- What happens when a world-famous dance troupe shrugs off its namesake venue and takes its show on the road?

The Radio City Christmas Spectacular finds the iconic Radio City Rockettes stepping out of the Big Apple and hitting arena stages across the country on a large-scale holiday tour.

This 18-city venture throughout the Midwest and South marks the first arena tour for the company, which typically performs only in theater settings.

FLINT, Michigan -- Everyone is feeling the financial crunch, so charities that are used to having their coffers filled during the holiday season are bracing themselves.

For fewer donors willing to help.

Courtesy PhotoThe Rockettes pose with WLHT-FM "Barnaby & Friends" morning show hosts Suzanne Schulz, left; Gerry Barnaby, center; and John Gonzalez, right.

I was surprised to hear this morning that the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, featuring the Radio City Rockettes, had canceled its 4 p.m. Nov. 19 show at Van Andel Arena. The good news: It had nothing to do with poor ticket sales.

"They just discovered they needed more time to load the show," said Lynne Ike of SMG, the company that oversees Van Andel Arena.

The Arena web site says: "Moving this massive production has provided for some unexpected delays that do not allow them to be in Grand Rapids in time for the 4 p.m. performance."

FLINT, Michigan -- Everyone is feeling the financial crunch, so charities that are used to having their coffers filled during the holiday season by everyday people are bracing themselves.

For fewer donors willing to help.

And for more people who need their help.

"I can't remember a year where we had this much need," said Jay Snodgrass, president of Old Newsboys of Flint.