It's fun, it's mostly free and it's going to be a bit frantic, which will make it even more fun.
Estevan's Kick Off to Christmas gets underway in earnest this coming Saturday with a breakfast with Santa in the Estevan Shoppers Mall, starting at the Old Homestead Restaurant and later in the mall. Santa's breakfast is scheduled in the hallway by the restaurant starting at 8 a.m. with the children's activities underway by 9 o'clock. Santa should be on site around 8:30.
Youngsters and adults alike can make their own Christmas cards, create some beaded jewelry and share in the fun by visiting Santa.
"The arts and crafts workshops are there for the kids from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.," said Kevin D'Souza, Estevan's tourism marketing co-ordinator.
The mall-related activities that begin around 9 a.m. include a visit from Child Find officials, as well as a visit from Estevan Police Service Constable Tyler McMillan and his police dog plus German singers and Santa's reindeer are also going to be in the mall for viewing.
Other activities include Emergency Magical Services plus an exhibit from the local Humane Society and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, craft tables and the Estevan Co-op Day Care bake sale and a Pro-Life cookie parade around 10 o'clock.
"They are just asking that if the child is under the age of seven that they be accompanied by an adult at these workshops," said D'Souza.
Each workshop will require participants to be engaged from 15 to 30 minutes each and there will be a maximum of 40 people at any one time with each workshop.
"That will give the adults some time to visit other places in the mall while the children are busy in the workshop," said D'Souza.
The mall is then offering up their Senior's Night on Dec. 7 with music by Ross LeBlanc and Susan Shepard and photos with Santa at The Brick on Dec. 18 with proceeds from the sale of the photos being directed to the Jeff Luyke fund to help the family defray expenses for his stay at the Mayo Clinic. Santa's schedule for mall visits is posted in centre court.
Then on Thursday night, Dec. 9, the Kick Off activities move over to Fourth Street and the central business district between 7 and 9 p.m.
That evening's activities will involve sleigh rides with Santa, the official Christmas tree lighting at City Hall, a scavenger hunt, other prizes and late night shopping. The busy shoppers and children will also be offered hot chocolate and cookies.
On Saturday, Dec. 11, there is free swimming offered at the Souris Valley Aquatic Centre from 1 to 5 p.m. Once again, if the child is seven or under, they must be accompanied by a responsible adult and the maximum number of people allowed at any given time is 150.
Then on Saturday, Dec. 18, there is a free movie for the kids at the Orpheum Theatre between 2 and 4 p.m. This time, children eight and under must be accompanied by an adult with a maximum capacity of 400 people. The movie feature is A Christmas Carol starring Jim Carrey.
So with plenty of action slated for Estevan, and lots of shopping opportunities for all ages, this year's Kick Off to Christmas promises to be one of the best ever in Estevan, said organizers and co-ordinators of the various events.
