HUMMELS WHARF -- Thousands from across the Central Susquehanna Valley will gather to ring in the holiday season during the Susquehanna Valley Mall's parade at 9 a.m. Saturday.

The jolly old elf will reign over the activity-packed festival featuring the 30th annual gala parade of themed floats, holiday costumed characters and high school marching bands.

Mall officials said participants will include marching bands from the Lewisburg, Midd-West, East Juniata, Millersburg, Shikellamy and Line Mountain school districts.

Santa Claus will join the parade en route to his enchanted forest in the mall's Bon Ton Court, where he will hear wish lists, pose for photos and give gifts until Christmas Eve. After the parade, magicians, jugglers and Curious George will perform in the Boscov's Court from noon to 2.

The mall also will introduce PREIT's Operation PJ Pile Up, its charity partnership with the Pajama Program, a nonprofit agency that delivers new pajamas and new books to children and teens in need. As part of the campaign, the mall is asking families to donate new pajamas, sizes toddler to adult, and new books.

The goal is for PREIT's 39 malls to collect a total of 25,000 new pajamas and 2,500 new books through Dec. 31.