A weekend of Christmas activities drew big crowds in Salem.
The activities began with a Christmas carnival at the Salem Community Activity Center on Friday night that drew an estimated 300 people, much higher than last year.
A big crowd was on hand Saturday to welcome Santa and to light the city’s new 25-foot Christmas Tree at Sweney Corner.
Mayor Nic Farley was pleased.
Farley said, “We had a great group of volunteers at the community center and got to see a lot of kids’ smiling faces, and today, being downtown with Santa and hot chocolate and everybody getting a mug, it really brought a sense of community and something that I think will give a lot of kids memories for a lot of years.”
The events were coordinated by the YMCA and the City of Salem and its recreation department. Jed Casburn was impressed with the number of people helping.
Casburn said, “Seeing Santa Claus and then walking right down here and picking out a toy; that’s what this is all about. I just want to thank all of the volunteers and the Christmas event committee, and our mayor for being involved. It takes a whole town to put something together, and we’re just very pleased.”
Casburn was also very happy with the number of toys donated by members of the community at various drop points that were then distributed one per child. After Santa arrived via fire truck he visited with more than 40 kids at his tent set up on Sweney Corner. Meanwhile, Ms. Claus drew a crowd to the Salem Historical Museum across the street. More than 50 started the afternoon by watching the movie ‘Elf’ at the Salem Theatre.
Both Friday and Saturday nights also featured the annual Christmas Time program by the Salem Community Band and Chorus.
The theatre reports more than 200 in attendance on Friday night and a sellout crowd of 300 on Saturday night.
