You better watch out. You better not cry. You better not pout, etc. Santa Claus is coming to Tri-Town. And soon he will be all over the place hosting pancake breakfasts, eating pizza, and riding from corner to corner via carriage, fire engine, and even boat. You won’t want to miss your chance to chat with the jolly old elf, take pictures of the kiddies on his knee, or frighten the Dickens out of the little ones, because the big bushy-bearded benevolent guy in red shouting “ho-ho-ho” is indeed understandably scary. Nonetheless, here is a concise guide to all the scheduled Santa sightings in your town so you don’t have to track him down yourself.
This Saturday, December 5, Santa will be especially busy making simultaneous stops at several locations in each of the three towns. (But the kids don’t have to know that.)
In Mattapoisett, from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm, the churches of St. Anthony and St. Rita will come together for their 50th annual Christmas Fair at St. Anthony’s Church, 22 Barstow Street. In addition to a number of craft and food vendors, the Christmas Fair is boasting a toyshop, craft workshop, and a visit with Santa the kids will enjoy.
Over in Rochester, Santa will join in on the fun at Plumb Library’s annual holiday Open House from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm, 17 Constitution Way. The general splendor of the event will include performances by the Junior Friends, caroling, a silent auction, and lots of books for sale.
In Marion, it’s the Marion Police Brotherhood’s 4th Annual Pizza with Santa from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm at the Marion Music Hall, 164 Front Street. Bring a new unwrapped toy for a child in need as part of the brotherhood’s “Fill a Cruiser” toy drive. This is a free event, but you need to register ahead by emailing your information to adicarlo@marionma.gov right away!
Santa won’t get much of a breather before he’s back out again in Mattapoisett the next morning, Sunday, December 6, from 8:00 am to 11:30 am at the Knights of Columbus pancake breakfast with Santa, 57 Fairhaven Road (Route 6). Santa will be there from 8:00 – 10:00 am, so arrive early-ish so you don’t miss him.
On Monday night, December 7, at 6:30 pm, Santa will greet all in Rochester during the Rochester Christmas Tree Lighting in front of Town Hall, 1 Constitution Way. You won’t miss him, since he will be sticking with tradition and making his flashy and loud entrance on a fire engine laughing “ho-ho-ho” and wishing everyone a Merry Christmas. Free refreshments and music, too.
Saturday, December 12 is the Mattapoisett Holiday in the Park from 3:00 to 5:00 pm at Shipyard Park. Tree lighting is at 4:00 pm. The Mattapoisett Lions Club is asking revelers to bring with them a new unwrapped toy and a canned good to drop off. This event is a big one, with over 19 local vendors, food, music and performances, and of course Santa, accompanied by Mrs. Claus and some elves, will arrive on a fire truck at dusk, just in time for the lighting of the town Christmas tree.
Sunday, December 13 is Marion’s traditional Christmas Stroll in the Village from 3:00 to 6:00 pm. Santa, as he does every year, will approach the crowd of people waiting on the Town Wharf from afar by boat, briefly greet the hundreds of revelers, and then board his horse-drawn wagon to visit the streets of the village, seemingly larger than life and full of Christmas cheer. Front Street from South Street to Holmes Lane and Island Wharf Road will be closed to traffic. There are always free goodies offered by area businesses along with festive music.
Santa is indeed busy this year hopping here and there to delight Tri-Town children. As you go about following after him, be sure to smile for the camera and read The Wanderer. You might be in it!
By Jean Perry
