MOOSE JAW — Ho, ho, ho! Santa Claus stopped by the Rotary Club’s Christmas tree pavilion at the Moose Jaw Co-op parking lot for a special visit to help families pick out the perfect tree, hand out candy canes, and kick-start the holidays with plenty of Christmas cheer amidst the scent of fresh pine last weekend.
Santa made his special three-hour appearance alongside one of his helpful elves on Nov. 30.
“From Santa’s point of view, this is part of the spirit of Christmas. It just doesn’t get much better than that — the enjoyment of people coming out, getting their trees, (and) thinking of Christmas,” announced Jolly Old Saint Nicholas during his visit.
“It just tops it all off when we’re able to get a picture of the kids and Santa along with it, and we even get some grown-ups that don’t have kids with them who like a picture with Santa too,” he added.
For several years now, the Rotary Club of Moose Jaw Wakamow has invited Santa to attend the venue as part of its ongoing tradition to help families pick a freshly cut balsam or Fraser fur tree. Once they’ve chosen the right one, children are handed a candy cane and Santa joins them for a family photo with their newly selected evergreen.
“Where else would you get that picture?” he said with a twinkle in his eye.
The event catered to children of all ages, although Santa himself pointed out that “there’s nobody around who’s anywhere near as old” as he is — somewhere in the neighbourhood of 800 years of age.
When asked about his secret to longevity, Santa replied with some timeless advice. “Well, you start with a red suit,” he chuckled. “And you love kids. Santa never grows old when you have all these smiles from kids as you’re doing what you do at Christmas.
“It just does my heart such good when I’m here and I can see a family walking up and the kids, when they see Santa, you see their faces light up.”
Although his visit was for a one-day-only basis to accommodate his busy holiday schedule, families will have yet another opportunity to meet Santa as he returns to the venue on the first Saturday in December, which is anticipated for Dec. 6, 2025. “If they follow the Moose Jaw Express, they’ll find out (for sure next season),” he added.
He’ll return at least once more this season on Christmas Eve. Until then, “Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!”
The Rotary Club will continue to sell Christmas trees at the venue from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturdays, and from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays while supplies last.
To learn more about the Rotary Club of Moose Jaw Wakamow visit RotaryClubOfMooseJawWakamow.org or email [email protected].
