Adam Prudhomme
Editor
Santa Claus, his wife Mrs. Claus and several jolly elves will be at Erinsville’s Beaver Lake Lions Park for photos on Dec. 4 from 1-3 p.m.
The Tamworth and District Lions Club will once again host the outdoor, drive-through style event, with a few additions this time around. As with last year’s event, families will drive around the old train station building and get out of their car when they reach the end for their turn with Santa. Waiting will be half the fun though as there will be plenty to keep the kids amused while in line.
“This year we’ve added a couple of other attractions to it,” said Lisa Stienburg, a member of the Tamworth and District Lions. “It is still going to be essentially a drive through format to keep everybody as safe as possible. This year Santa’s going to have Santa’s Store. He’s bringing some elves and when families arrive at the park the children will be invited by the elves to go to Santa’s Store and have the opportunity to buy gifts for mom, dad, their siblings, grandparents. We have elves in the store that are going to wrap and tag the gifts quickly and then the elves will walk the children back to the store to ensure that everybody is safe. Parents will remain in the vehicle and continue in the drive through while children are out for just a couple of minutes to purchase gifts.”
The gifts are free, though a minimum donation of $3 per gift if possible is encouraged. Cash or e-transfer to TamworthLionsClub@hotmail.com is available. Children are encouraged to bring a note with their name and the name of the person they are shopping for, be it mom, dad, sibling, etc. so the elves can assist them in their shopping.
“We wanted to do the Santa Store because we felt it would give the children a sense of pride and joy of purchasing their own gifts,” said Stienburg. “Not everybody has that opportunity to do it and we wanted to bring that to the kids this year.”
Along with Santa’s Store, kids will have the opportunity to interact with some local heroes.
“We have invited the OPP and the Stone Mills Fire Department from Tamworth to join us for a couple of different reasons,” said Stienburg. “We did find last year traffic on County Rd 41, there could be a problem with speed in that area. We are hoping that will encourage people to slow down for everybody’s safety. Also the police and fire department volunteers are going to be visiting with the children and engaging with children in the drive through to sort of entertain them and give them the opportunity to speak with the officers while they’re waiting for their visit with Santa.”
When they reach Santa, kids will be able to have a conversation while maintaining a safe distance before parents snap a photo. Kids are also encouraged to bring letters for Santa and if they include a return address, they’ll receive a response.
Members of the Lions Club will also be serving hot chocolate to keep warm while families wait to see Santa.
Photos with Santa are free and open to everyone, though the club will welcome donations of non-perishable food items.
“The Lions Club is again this year collecting non-perishable food items, personal hygiene items or cash for our Christmas food hampers,” said Stienburg. “Typically our club would give out maybe 30 to 35 food baskets to persons in the area who need that help at Christmas. It’s donations at events like this that make it possible for us to continue with the basket program.”
The outdoor event will take place rain, shine or even snow. For more information visit the Tamworth and District Lions Club Facebook page.