Adam Prudhomme
Editor
Santa Claus will be making a stop in Erinsville on Nov. 28 to take a few photos, accept some letters, collect food for those in need and chat with good girls and boys.
Santa’s visit will be held outdoors in Beaver Lake Lions Park, from 1-3 p.m. in a sort of drive-thru format.
Hosted by the Tamworth and District Lion’s Club, the suggested cost of a photo opportunity with Santa and Mrs. Claus is a donation of a non-perishable food item for the Lion’s Christmas Food Basket Program.
“Because we had been advised about a month ago that the (Tamworth Legion’s Santa) Parade was not going to take place, we wanted to try to come up with something that was safe for children and something that would bring some normalcy into seeing Santa,” said Lisa Stienburg of the Tamworth and District Lion’s Club. “We came up with this outdoor event and hopefully the weather cooperates.”
Families will drive into the park, located on 5783 County Rd 41 in Erinsville. When it’s their turn, kids will be invited to get out of the car and stand two metres apart from Santa and Mrs. Claus for a photo and a chat. Parents or guardians will then be able to snap a photo.
“Santa and Mrs. Claus will both be sitting in their rocking chairs,” said Stienburg. “The children will get out of their vehicle and Santa’s bringing one of his very nice mailboxes so the children can put their letters to Santa in the mailbox. Hopefully they will have their return address and then when Santa gets back to the North Pole hopefully he will have time to respond to the letters. The Lion’s Club is going to have some brightly wrapped boxes and we’re asking if people are able to that they please bring a non-perishable food item because we want to do our Christmas food hamper program in the area.”
Typically the Lions prepare 35 food baskets for the community, but the need is expected to rise this year. The baskets will be made available for pickup for those in need closer to Christmas.
Everyone is welcome to make a donation during the event even if they aren’t seeking a photo with Santa. A separate line will be available for those just looking to make a quick drop of non-perishable food.