These two youngsters wasted no time giving Santa a big hug on Saturday morning as he and the Grinch, who was accompanied by Const. Melanie Flynn of the Lloydminster RCMP, arrived at the Atrium Centre for the 16th annual Here Comes Santa Claus Day. Taylor Weaver Meridian Sources
The arrival of Santa lit up Lloydminster youngsters as the 16th annual Here Comes Santa Claus Day filled the downtown core with Christmas cheer.
Held last Saturday, Santa Day kicked off at 7 a.m. with a free pancake breakfast at Royal Canadian Legion Branch #39 Lloydminster before free matinee screenings of The Grinch started at 9 a.m.
The real show, however, started at 11 a.m. with the arrival of Santa and a handcuff-free Grinch.
Kids were elated to see Santa and pleased to see the Grinch tightly gripped by Const. Melanie Flynn of the Lloydminster RCMP.
The Lloydminster Fire Department and Fire Fighters Association had everyone’s hunger taken care of with the annual weiner roast, and for those feeling a little daring, Santa’s cookies and milk eating contest offered 20 brave Lloydminsterites a real challenge.
“Every year we want to add something different to Here Comes Santa Claus Day, and Henka Divorce Law and Mediation and The Tent Guys, who have been with us every year, were looking for something they could sponsor, and we came up with this milk and cookie eating contest,” said organizer and emcee Kurt Price.
“I think my brother said ‘Santa eats milk and cookies, let’s do it.’”
To win the prized gift cards, competitors had to finish an entire pack of Chips Ahoy Chewy cookies and down a litre of milk.
The first to finish was Marty Raspirem, who said he was extra hungry Saturday afternoon after his son, Johnathan, ate all his lunch.
“It feels good (to win), and it’s a nice chunk of change for Christmas spending,” he said, with his son by his side.
The event remains free to this day thanks to the many sponsors who continue to support it.
“What can I say to sponsors? Those that have come every year for the last 10 years, this doesn’t happen without our sponsors, it’s not free without our sponsors,” said Price.
“I was watching the news last night and they were talking about inflation, and I thought to myself, ‘Here Comes Santa Claus is still free, no matter what,’ and that’s because we have great support from our sponsors, the City, and the DARC, we can still keep it free.”
“Johnathan was the one who said I could win, so I entered, and here we are.”
Ten-year-old Johnathan thought his dad had what it took to win because he’s his idol, as well as a really good eater.
“He’s really good at fixing his truck and stuff, and he built himself his own shed,” said Johnathan, adding he likes to help dad with his projects.
Raspirem explained the contest was much harder than originally anticipated, but the key was to just power through it.
“Once I saw what kind of cookies they were it made it a little easier … I thought they were going to be Oreos, which would have been pretty easy. The soft ones get stuck in your mouth a bit, so I powered through it.”
Price was pleased with the success of the cookies and milk contest and said he’s already been asked if they’ll bring it back next year.
“It was great, and a lot of people are asking if we’ll be doing it again next year, and that’s what we’re looking for, that’s what we want.”
The contest was held in the newly-developed urban park, situated in the parking lot beside Legacy DIY across from the Atrium Centre.
“The Downtown Area Redevelopment Committee (DARC) actually did this park up, this is going to be an urban park, and it fits well because we were thinking of things we could do in the park, as well.”
Other new features at this year’s Santa Day included cotton candy and popcorn at Brighter Horizon Financial Services with First Baptist Church, which Price said were also a hit.
Since its inception 16 years ago, Here Comes Santa Claus Day has been about a day of free fun for families.
