ESTEVAN - Hundreds of people turned out Saturday for fun activities and Christmas shopping during the Estevan Downtown Business Association's fourth annual Miracle on Fourth Street.
The pre-Christmas festivities featured plenty of attractions in the 1100 and 1200 blocks of Fourth Street. People enjoyed pictures with Santa Claus, hay rides provided by Graham Collie and his Clydesdale horses, marshmallows at warm-up stations, street hockey with the Estevan Great North U18 AAA Bears, Christmas music, hot chocolate and a variety of crafts and games.
Many businesses in downtown Estevan had in-store specials throughout the day to entice shoppers.
Estevan DBA president Laurel Buck described the event as "a big success", saying there were long lineups for the hay rides right up until the scheduled end of the events.
"The stores were busy," said Buck. "Everybody talked about what a great event it was."
The weather conditions were favourable for the day, with above-average temperatures and a slight breeze.
Miracle on Fourth Street was the second event hosted by the DBA this month. Moonlight Madness took place on Dec. 5, also on Fourth Street. People went from store to store, looking for Christmas shopping deals. Customers had passports stamped at businesses to win a prize.
"Moonlight Madness was great," said Buck. "Lots of people, again, were in and out the doors. Lots of passports were filled out. It was a busy night for all of the stores."
Buck expects the DBA will offer both events again next year, because Moonlight Madness and Miracle on Fourth appeal to different crowds. Moonlight Madness is for people looking to shop. And while there were shoppers at Miracle on Fourth, lots of families were excited to participate in the activities.