By LISA HOOVER

POTSDAM -- The holiday festivities that began last weekend with the holiday shopping weekend and the tree lighting at the Potsdam Public Museum will continue this Saturday. Highlights will include the Merry Tubachristmas concert, the Plumb Memorial Tree lighting ceremony and a Santa workshop at the Potsdam Public Library.

Merry Tubachristmas concerts are held worldwide in celebration of the holiday season. The first concert was held in 1974 as a tribute to William J. Bell, a tuba musician who was born Christmas day in 1902.

The local concert, organized by the Potsdam Chamber of Commerce, will be held Saturday, Dec. 8 at 4 p.m. at the United Methodist Church, 26 Main St. Any tuba or euphonium player wishing to participate should meet at the church at 1 p.m. for a rehearsal.

A “donation tuba” will be waiting to receive donations, which will benefit the Potsdam Neighborhood Center, according to Marylee Ballou, executive director at the Potsdam chamber. Jars of peanut butter would also be appreciated.

Another holiday tradition will continue this year despite the damage to the Plumb Memorial Tree from a storm earlier this year. The ceremony, which will be Saturday at 5:30 p.m., will include a lighting of “what is left” of the tree, Ballou said. The town was unable to procure a new, suitable tree in time for this year’s ceremony, but the chamber hopes to announce plans for a new tree at the ceremony, according to Ballou. The tree is located at the Clarkson Inn, 1 Main St.

According to the Hospice of St. Lawrence Valley, which sponsors the tree lighting, a tree adjacent to the original has been decorated with white holiday lights and eight blue bulbs at the top of the tree to honor local artist Robert Plumb’s grandchildren, as has been the tradition over the years.

In addition to the tree lighting, the ceremony will include refreshments and entertainment by the Sweet Adelines choir.

Potsdam residents may also notice members of the chamber downtown judging window displays following the tree lighting. While all the details for the business window display contest are not currently settled, the chamber usually picks a winner and a runner up. The winner usually receives a ribbon and pizza for the staff, according to Ballou.

Potsdam families may also want to visit the Potsdam Library Saturday, where the Potsdam Kiwanis Club will be holding a Santa workshop at 1 p.m. Santa will visit the library to read stories and share snacks and crafts with local children.

“It’s really a great time to come to Potsdam,” Ballou said.