Santa Claus is coming to town

Children and adults alike will have a chance to see the white bearded man in a red suit this weekend at the city’s Santa’s arrival.

Jenny Melvin, Urban Renewal Agency/Main Street director said, on Saturday around 12:30 p.m. Santa Claus will arrive in Green River either on a motorcycle or on a Green River Fire Department fire truck. Either way, the short mini parade of Santa is bound to turn a few heads.

Santa will start off at Flaming Gorge Harley Davison, make his way down Uinta Drive to Monroe Avenue, where he will turn onto Hitching Post, he will then turn onto Upland Way to make his way back to Uinta Drive. Santa will then go all the way down Uinta Drive and make his way to the Sweetwater No. 2350 Fraternal Order of the Eagles on Flaming Gorge Way.

There he will get off of the vehicle and head into the Eagles club where he will wait to talk to all the little boys and girls who want to tell him what they would like for Christmas from 1-3 p.m.

Melvin said the first 300 children will receive a free gift bag from the Green River URA/Main Street Agency.

“Last year, we didn’t have a great turnout,” Melvin said. “Hopefully, we will this year.”

Melvin couldn’t explain why only 100 children showed up to visit with Santa last year, but she is hoping that will turn around. She said one year, when they had it in frigid temperatures in Centennial Park; and about 250 children attended. She couldn’t understand why more were not at the warm, indoor event last year.

Hot chocolate and cookies will be provided by the Eagles. Children will also have the chance to get their picture taken with Santa.

“That’s pretty much it,” she said. “There are no games or anything like that.”

Adults will have the chance to win one of many door prizes, she said. All of the prizes donated were from local businesses.

Melvin is encouraging residents to bring their children to see Santa and then walk around downtown to see all of the stores competing in the best decorated window competition. She said they can then stop by the Sweetwater County Museum and cast their vote for best decorated downtown business. All votes must be in by Dec. 14.

“If they’re decorated, they’re in,” she said.

Tree Lighting Ceremony

On Thursday, the city will officially kick off the Christmas season with the mayor’s tree-lighting ceremony at the clock tower park downtown. This event will take place Thursday at 5:30 p.m

“It’s going to be simple,” Melvin said.

Warm beverages and cookies will be available for all who attend. She said the mayor will say a few words and then plug in the Christmas tree.