Despite the many other events and fairs happening around town Saturday, the Dudley L. Brown VFW Post’s annual Christmas party for kids still managed to attract several youngsters and their families.

Organizer Michelle Fournier said it is the 14th or 15th year the event has been held at the post. This year, she said, there were markedly fewer people than usual. She estimated there were between 45 and 50 kids, though the party usually sees close to 150 children.

The party is free to attend every year, and Fournier sees it as a nice way to get kids excited about the upcoming holiday season. She said the post gives out “all kinds of gifts.”

“We do footballs, basketballs, baby dolls, Legos … we try to do really nice gifts,” Fournier said. “We do [gifts for] babies all the way up to nine years old.”

There was also face painting, a magician and a special guest appearance by Santa, as well as pizza, cupcakes and juice boxes for the kids.

Fournier said the money for the party is raised by the VFW’s annual steak fry in August.