For the 27th year, Santa Claus will make an early stop in Niles at the Riverfront Park Amphitheater.
The Four Flags Area Chamber of Commerce will facilitate “Santa’s arrival” Saturday beginning at 11 a.m. in downtown Niles. Admission to see Santa is free and children will receive a couple of complimentary gifts including a free coloring book and candy cane.
Parents standing outside in the winter chill can also warm up with free coffee, hot cocoa and donut holes. Ron Sather, executive director of the chamber, said he’d already stocked up on 1,300 coloring books for those children who attend the event Saturday.
John Jarpe, chamber board of directors chairman, said the event has become quite the tradition for families as a way to welcome the official start of the holiday season. Santa is scheduled to arrive via a Niles City Fire Department truck.
The Niles High School Key Club will be helping out prior to his arrival by decorating the amphitheater.