Santa Claus is coming!
Photo by Shari Harris
Joe Satterfield brought an early delivery from Santa’s workshop for children who visit Santa at the VFW on Saturday. Included in the bags of gifts were quilts, teddy bears and more.
By Shari Harris, Publisher
Santa and Mrs. Claus will be coming to Licking on Saturday, December 6, during the Christmas festivities in downtown Licking. Santa will be visiting with children and giving gifts at the VFW from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., he’ll be handing out gifts at the mill at 1:30 p.m., and at 4 p.m., you’ll see him in the annual Christmas parade. Mrs. Claus will be at the Texas County Museum of Art and History from 2 to 4 p.m.; don’t forget to stop by and see her.
The day begins at 9 a.m. with a Christmas Bazaar at the VFW hall. Vendors have indicated they will be offering the following: soaps, salves, crocheted crafts, shirts, other clothing, pins, keychains, knickknacks, decor, jewelry, barb wire art (signs and wall hangings), painted ornaments, quilts, quilted items, floral arrangements, crocheted Christmas bell dolls, necklaces, scarves, crocheted kitchen towels, paintings and wearable art, sewn items and wood turning crafts, epoxy tumblers, glass and plastic tumblers, handmade crafts, baked goods, woodworking crafts, jams, cobblers, pies, t-shirts, hoodies, aprons, painted handsaws, and many more items.
The Texas County Museum of Art & History and the Book Nook, operated by the Licking Friends of the Library, will open at 10 a.m. Children should stop by for a free book, and stock up on your winter reading supply at the book sale at the Book Nook – this will be their final day until spring. Check out the great gift ideas at the Museum – local artwork in a variety of mediums is displayed and available for purchase. And don’t be late for the COOKIES BY THE POUND sale – pick out your favorites and help the museum at the same time. From 2 to 4 p.m., Mrs. Claus will read favorite stories to children at the museum.
Also beginning at 10 a.m., Abounding Hope Church will be offering chili, soups, hot dogs, sandwiches, baked goods and more. This fundraiser lasts until 2 p.m. and will benefit their Children’s Christmas Store and the Children’s Advocacy Center to help buy blankets and clothing.
Nana’s Country Kitchen will open at 10:30 a.m. and will have to-go menus available in the VFW. Meals can be delivered to the VFW kitchen for pick up or meals can be picked up at their restaurant, just a half block east of the VFW. Payments can be made over the phone or in person.
Santa Claus will be at his first stop at 11 a.m. at the VFW Hall. He’s bringing bags of presents for children who come to the VFW to see him, including 170 teddy bears, 100 crocheted caps, 50 twin size quilts, crocheted turtles and hacky sacks, bracelets and necklaces. While there, children through the age of 10 can sign up for the toy giveaway at the Licking Mill. Santa will leave the VFW at 12:30 p.m. in order to have time for lunch before the activities at the mill.
Each child, age birth through ten years, who signed up at the VFW will get another free gift during the toy giveaway in front of the Licking Mill at 1:30 p.m., or you can sign up in front of the mill just before the giveaway starts. Two bicycles and two tricycles will be among the gifts handed out.
The annual Parade will begin at 4 p.m., with “O What Fun!” as this year’s theme. First, second and third place prizes will be awarded in two categories – religious and non-religious – for parade entries. See if you can spy the large wooden ribbons, blue (1st), red (2nd), and yellow (3rd), as they make their way through downtown Licking.
The vendors begin packing up with the start of the parade, and as the final parade entry passes by, it will signal the end of another great Christmas season kickoff celebration.
