Although the festival is smaller than previous years, fan favorite activities will be returning to Watson. (Santa Claus Weekend in Watson/Facebook)

By Rachel May

Santa Claus is coming to town

Santa Claus Weekend in Watson is celebrating 90 years

Dec 2, 2021 | 2:00 PM

Santa Claus Weekend in Watson combines all the best parts of the holiday season.

Everyone is invited to The Town of Watson to celebrate the holiday season with Old Saint Nick on Dec. 3 and 4.

Roxanne Bagnall, the chairperson for the Santa Claus Day Committee, said they are celebrating a huge milestone this year.

“It is our 90th annual Santa Claus Day. We did have to cancel some of our events due to COVID. We do have a lot of our favourite events going on.”

The weekend is still packed with activities for everyone to enjoy.

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Festive Friday begins with late night shopping but the fun doesn’t end there. A wreath auction, pictures with Santa Claus, Ice Castle Contest and stuff the bus are just some of the featured events.

At 8:15 p.m. the annual Santa Claus Day tree lighting ceremony will take place. To wrap up the evening and celebrate the occasion, a fireworks display is scheduled for 8:30 p.m.

Residents can then get up bright and early for Santa Saturday. Starting at 10 a.m. there will be a craft table and general skate.

After a full morning of activities, it’s time for everyone to go home and sharpen up their detective skills for the town-wide scavenger hunt.

“We tried to have a lot of events outdoors, rather than gathering indoors,” Bagnall added. “We are trying to keep to the guidelines. Masks are required when we are inside.”

For those already feeling the Christmas spirit, there are a few activities people can do right now to prepare for the holiday celebration.

For those who love to decorate, Watson Affinity Credit Union is hosting a colouring contest, Christmas Tree Ornaments can be purchased at select retailers to be displayed at the tree lighting ceremony with proceeds going to Quill Plains Health Care Foundation and Gingerbread kits can be picked up from Farmhouse Bakery.

Fireworks donations are being accepted around various places in the town and teddy bear donations in clear plastic bags are being accepted for the Stuff the Bus fundraiser for the Humboldt and District Hospital Foundation.

For those that hope to participate in the activities coming up, residents can freeze two litre milk cartons with water for the Student Representative Council’s ice castle contest, shopping locally could earn gift-givers one of three commemorative coin sets, and those wanting to be part of the scavenger hunt can decorate their houses and yards.

The success of the event relies on people willing to spread Christmas magic to the community.

“It is all volunteer-based, a lot of different groups like the SRC, the ambulance and the museum this year.”

For more information about the event, visit Santa Claus Weekend in Watson on Facebook.

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Rachel.May@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @RachelMayFM