With a Christmas tree already decorated in its lobby, The Hormel Institute-University of Minnesota-Mayo Clinic is getting ready for its first year of participating in Austin’s “Christmas in the City” festivities.

An open house from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday will give people a chance to learn about The Hormel Institute’s long history and world-renowned cancer research as well as tour its state-of-the-art facility, which was renovated and expanded two years ago under a nearly $24 million project.

That two-year project, which included about $1.6 million in contributions from Austin citizens, tripled the research facility’s size and doubled its faculty and staff.

People can come at any time during the open house. Each tour will last about 30 minutes.