Santa Claus is coming to Charles City on Saturday!

To The Press

Santa Claus will be making an appearance in Charles City Saturday morning, Dec. 12 — on the back of a fire truck.

The Charles City Area Chamber of Commerce and Charles City Fire Department are teaming up to give Santa a ride around town to wave to children young and old alike.

“Due to the COVID-19 situation it is difficult for Santa to meet with kids at the Santa House in Central Park, so instead the Chamber and Fire Department are bringing Santa to the kids in a safe and fun way,” said Mark Wicks, community development director.

“He will be riding in the bucket of the aerial fire truck and waving as he passes throughout different neighborhoods in town (listen for the siren). He will finish up with a drive down Main Street,” Wicks said.

The ride will begin at 11 a.m. on 9th Street. The exact route will be made available on the Chamber website at www.charlescitychamber.com and the Chuck Town: Charles City, Iowa Facebook page this week.

Santa will travel the community for an hour, until about noon.

After Santa’s tour of the town, children will be able to call Santa and talk to him between 1 and 4 p.m. on Saturday, thanks to the Charles City Rotary Club.

Call 319-238-9922 to speak to Santa, Mrs. Claus and maybe even some of the elves that afternoon.

While Santa won’t be visiting with children in the Santa House in Central Park this year, families can take advantage of an opportunity to make children’s holiday crafts in what is now Santa’s Workshop.

Between Dec. 9-23, families can rent out Santa’s Workshop in one-hour time slots to work on do-it-yourself holiday crafts together.

The cost is $25 for the hour and there will be up to five small crafts available to work on. There are options for everyone, including adults. Kids of all ages can make gifts for friends and family. Adult supervision is required.

The workshop will be open by appointment only and will be cleaned and sanitized between each use.

Contact Joanna at the Charles City Chamber of Commerce to schedule time in the workshop, learn about what crafts are available, and coordinate your own exclusive Santa’s workshop event.

Call 641-228-4234 or email events@charlescitychamber.com.

Also new to the Santa House this year is a letter slot in the front door where children can drop off Letters to Santa and share their Christmas wishes. Volunteers will see to it that Santa replies to letters left at the Santa House or Otto’s Oasis at 1313 Gilbert St. between now and Dec. 24, so it is important that each letter includes the children’s names and return address.

For more information, contact the Community Development Office at 641-228-4234, or email info@charlescitychamber.com.