Santa Claus visits Niles Saturday

Published 7:55 am Thursday, November 21, 2013

Get your wish lists ready, kids.

Santa Claus is coming to the Riverfront Park Amphitheater in Niles during the Four Flags Area Chamber of Commerce’s 30th Annual Santa’s Big Arrival event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

This free event is open to the public. Children and families can enjoy complimentary hot chocolate, donut holes and coffee. All children will receive a free gift. Santa Claus will arrive via fire truck at 11 a.m., in partnership with the Niles Fire Department. Children are encouraged to bring coloring sheets for this year’s new coloring contest. Sheets are also available for download at www.nilesmi.com/santa-s-big-arrival-nov-23.html.

There are several new features this year, including a photographer, carolers, a marching band and American Red Cross mascot “Scrubby Bear.”

Photos will be provided by the Four Flags Area Chamber of Commerce and photos of children with Santa Claus in holiday frames will be available for purchase.

Attendees can bring their own cameras.

Carolers will sing in half hour segments from Wesley United Methodist Church and Life Action Ministries, at 10:30 a.m. and 11 a.m., respectively.

The Niles High School Marching Band will perform at 11:30 a.m. for 30 to 45 minutes.

The Four Flags Chamber of Commerce, first established in 1919, has been in continuous operation since 1930, and serves nearly 40,000 people in four townships.