Kids and Kinettes gearing up for Santa Day
December 8, 2023, 10:57 am
Ryan Kiedrowski, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
It’s a Moosomin tradition going 11 years strong and a day likely circled on several calendars throughout the area. Saturday, Dec. 9 is Santa Day—a chance for kids to take in a holiday movie and meet the most popular elf of them all: Santa Claus himself.
“Everyone’s on the nice list,” Claus told the World-Spectator when asked about the local Naughty to Nice ratio of his scorecard. He also advised that leaving milk and cookies out before bed time on Christmas Eve is still perfectly acceptable.
“The reindeer also like a reindeer treat, which is oatmeal and some of the candy sprinkles,” Claus said, adding that tinsel is a highly sought after item as “you need the magical colour.”
Santa Day makes for a busy time for the Moosomin Kinettes, who not only work for weeks leading up to the event, but also gather the night before to bring those last-minute touches. All that preparation is worth it just to see the children arrive for their chance to meet Santa Claus.
“It’s fun to be there, too, because you get your kids that are really happy to be there and then you get your kids who don’t want to be within 20 feet of Santa!” said Kinette Kathryn Fouillard, who added there were around 200 families at Santa Day last year. For those youngsters that may be nervous about meeting the North Pole resident, Claus reassured “don’t worry, I’m a nice guy!”
When asked about his favourite part of Santa Day, Mr. Claus said, “having the little kids sit on my knee and asking for gifts, and just try and make them happy.”
Volunteers and gracious business donations are the glue that binds the successful event together, such as Zaylie’s Furniture & Appliances, who are doing the photo background this year; and photographer Amanda Selby, who is also donating her time and talent. The Moosomin Chamber of Commerce sponsors the movie and popcorn while Tim Horton’s and Borderland Co-op donate to the kids’ treat bags.
Saturday night is also the Kinettes’ Comedy Night featuring magic and laughs courtesy Double Vision, with a dance to follow. While two committees are separate at the Kinettes level, Fouillard said everyone volunteers to ensure both events are a success for the club.
“We work together and get the hall ready and whatnot as a team and it’s just like a really fun-filled, festive day,” she explained.
Money raised from Santa Day and the Comedy Night—like all Kinette events—either goes back to the community or to the club in order to host future fundraisers.
