Thanksgiving is on Thursday and that always sets the stage for a busy after-Turkey Day weekend in Oakdale, with a series of events to formally usher in the holiday season.

On Friday, Nov. 23, the Oakdale Cowboy Museum will present its Cowboy Christmas Trade and Craft Fair, scheduled from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Gene Bianchi Community Center, 110 S. Second Ave., Oakdale. Outside the center, at 5:30 p.m. Friday, all in the community are encouraged to come and enjoy the dedication of the Bushwacker Mural, directly across the plaza from the Community Center. Also on Friday night, stop by the Oakdale History Museum at 212 W. F St., to enjoy story time with Mrs. Claus, featuring holiday stories and children’s favorites, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

On Saturday, Nov. 24, the trade and craft fair opens for business once again, this time from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and the day will also include the arrival of Cowboy Santa, who will come in on horseback at 11 a.m. There will be a chance for youngsters to have their photo taken with Santa and visit with him outside, while there will be shopping opportunities, raffle drawings each hour, food and more inside the Community Center.