The Warrenton Downtown Association will sponsor the 20th annual Hometown Christmas next Friday, Dec. 5, on Main Street. The event features a chili cook-off, carriage rides, musical entertainment and many businesses on Main Street will stay open late and offer shopping deals. Santa Claus also will make a visit.br> "It's a kickoff for the holiday season for me," said Brenda Sue Fowler, WDA president. "It's a celebration of Christmas for Warrenton. "Most of the things are free. You can come down and enjoy Main Street and visit with your neighbors," she said. "You can stop in the shops and get cookies and drinks or see Santa." Hometown Christmas will officially kick off at 4:45 p.m. with the lighting of the tree at Friedens United Church of Christ. Music will be provided by Nancy Butler and the Warren County Community Band. The Rev. Jason Emmerson will be the featured speaker. A live Nativity scene also will be on display. One of the highlights will be a chili cook-off, slated to run from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on the corner of Main and South West streets, with all proceeds to benefit Agape Ministry of Warren County. The entry free is $100. The deadline to enter is Dec. 1. For more information, contact Sharon Creech at First State Community Bank at 636-456-6176. A team of five judges will pick a first- and second-place winner. A People's Choice winner will be recognized for receiving the most monetary donations. This is the second year for the cook-off. "It really took off," said Fowler about last year's event. "We wanted something with a little more community involvement. The banks backed it all and it went really well. It's a wonderful fundraiser as well." Free carriage rides will be offered at Tri-County Agency. The city of Warrenton will distribute free refreshments over a fire pit in the insurance agency's parking lot. At 5:30 p.m., children can have their picture taken for free with Santa Claus at Brenda Sue's. From 5:30-7:30 p.m., attendees can tour the historic Schowengerdt Home. The cost is $5 per person. Children 12 and under will be admitted free with a paid adult. Tours also will be offered at the Schowengerdt Home on Saturday from 9-11 a.m. The Belle Starr Theatre will be open Friday with the Warren County Community Band performing at 6:30 p.m. Admission is free and donations will be accepted for the troops to be mailed by Goodies For You (G4U). "We encourage any businesses to be open that evening," Fowler said. "I would love to see the new businesses downtown participate." Friday's festivities also will be expanded into the weekend as the Belle Starr Theatre will host the bell choir at 6 p.m. Saturday, followed by the community choir. On Sunday at 5 p.m., The Melodears from Lakeview Estates will present a Christmas skit and music. Admission is free for both events. College United Methodist Church will host a breakfast Saturday at 7 a.m. and Friedens will have a cookie walk beginning at 8 a.m. Also Sunday, the Warren County Historical Society will be open from 1-4 p.m. and will be selling unique gifts and stocking stuffers.