Washtenaw County residents were out in force Saturday enjoying myriad holiday festivals, parades and sales.

“There’s an awful lot to do everywhere in town, it’s hard to keep track of all your choices,” Larry O’Sullivan said, during Dexter’s Home for the Holidays Christmas Festival.

Chelsea, Saline and Milan celebrated the season with parades. In Ypsilanti, the Starlight Shopping Spree included pictures with Santa and a reindeer stable.

In Dexter, O’Sullivan, with Scio Township’s Suburban Chevrolet, was a race sponsor for the Holiday Hustle 5K race, in which he said more than 1,200 people had registered to run.

“This is the kind of run to bring people out for their first race,” he said. “It’s a fun run.”

Along with the race, the festival’s schedule of shopping, caroling and Santa visits kept downtown Dexter busy throughout the day.

One of the event’s most popular attractions, however, was its ice sculpture display, which depicted elves, Santa, snowmen and other festive characters on the streets of downtown.

Dexter resident Mara Greatorex said the festival is great for kids and adults. “We run into friends all over the place. It’s just a hometown feeling.”

At the Washtenaw County 4-H Advisory Council Christmas Tree Sale, club members said they sold more than 40 of the 105 available trees on just its first day.

“We sold out last year, and I think it will sell out this year too,” Jackie Martin, the club’s education coordinator said. “I’ve been pretty impressed with the quality of trees this year.”

The sale, held at the Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds on Ann Arbor-Saline Road in Lodi Township, included a selection of pine, spruce and fir trees ranging from $20-$70.

Ypsilanti residents Jeff and Andrea Gustafson, were tree shopping with their daughter, Anna.

Though the family said it usually cuts down its own tree, it was happy with its pre-cut, 6.5 foot Scotch pine. “These trees are better than the ones we usually get,” Anna Gustafson said.

Martin said proceeds from the sale go toward the 4-H Advisory Council and are used for scholarships, club development and local events.

The Potters Guild of Ann Arbor’s Holiday Sale also had a good turnout, with streams of shoppers filling the outdoor tent in search of a unique, local holiday gift.

“It’s been a really good day today,” Guild President Sally Goldberg said. “It’s been a lot better compared to last year.”

Goldberg said customers were lined up outside the tent early in the morning.

“It’s been busy,” she said.

The sale included pottery works from more than 30 members of the guild, with items ranging from mugs and bowls to ornaments to wall hangings.

“I like that it’s local and made by people from the area,” Lisa Lava-Kellar from Ann Arbor said. “It’s just kind of neat to be here.”

Erica Hobbs is a freelance writer for AnnArbor.com. Contact the news desk at 734-623-2521.