A large number of kids streamed in to visit Santa and pick up free gifts during his stop at Sweney Corner in downtown Salem Saturday afternoon.
The event culminated with Santa helping to light the city Christmas tree on Sweney Corner that will remain lit through the Christmas season. A live tree that the city plans to plant somewhere for use in future Christmas celebrations was brought in for the Christmas season.
Jed Casburn was one of those working on the events for the YMCA, SWAG, and the City of Salem.
“We would love to grow this and get more organizations involved, businesses and things of that nature and have a really big community Christmas. But we are very happy and want to wish everybody a Merry Christmas.”
Chris Watkins with Saved With Amazing Grace says the community once again came through with Christmas gift donations.
“Brought Santa up from the Fire Station with the reindeer and set him down. People could come in and see Santa and pick out 1 large toy or 2 small toys.”
The ABC Pub joined in the festivities offering hot dogs and chili to those in attendance free of charge. The City of Salem provided free hot chocolate.
At the Salem Museum, a large number participated in the ornament-making activity.
The first-ever Christmas Carnival on Friday night drew about 200 to play a variety of games and participate in a number of activities set up by different groups and businesses. Casburn was pleased with the turnout for the first-time event and feels it can also grow in the future.
Santa is led to Sweney Corner for the day’s festivities by his ‘reindeer’ from the Salem Fire Protection District Station. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
Santa visits and takes photos with children in his tent on Sweney Corner. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
Every child got to pick out three toys from the toy table after visiting with Santa. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
The Elves at the ABC were serving up free hot dogs and chili to those in attendance. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
