Those looking for family-friendly holiday activities this weekend have the choice of two productions by local dance students.

On Saturday, the Ashland Youth Ballet will bring their annual production of The Nutcracker to the Paramount Arts Center.

Featuring Ironton’s Maddy Heighton in the lead role as Clara and directed by city resident Maria Whaley, the show, set for 7 p.m., will feature dancers of all ages, from toddlers to young adults, and will have a cast of more than 60. Tickets are available at the box office.

Meanwhile, at 7 p.m. on Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday, the Yvonne Dekay School of Dance in Ironton will perform “A Christmas of Giving” at Ironton High School.

The show, featuring ages 2-18, will be an original story, where Santa teaches his toyshop characters the true meaning of Christmas. Tickets are $12.

Our region is blessed with a number of artists and performers and has a number of schools and companies that give them a chance to show their skills.

We encourage everyone to get out and catch one of these shows and support our talented youth.