A child poses for a photo with Santa at the Gateway Mall. (Logan Lehmann/paNOW Staff)

By Logan Lehmann

Holiday spirit

Santa ready to hand out gifts as he prepares to leave P.A.

Dec 23, 2023 | 8:00 AM

Santa’s time in Prince Albert has come to an end.

The jolly fellow from the North Pole has made the Gateway Mall his home over the last month since arriving in P.A. in late November.

Since then, Santa has seen hundreds of kids come to see him and ask him what they want for Christmas.

“L.O.L. Dolls are still big and Barbie’s are at the top of the list, that’s the most popular toy. They also ask for computers and some of the bigger things. One wanted a pony and I said, ‘I can’t make those’,” he said chuckling.

On Friday, Santa and his nine reindeer were cleared to fly through Canadian airspace to deliver presents. Inspectors from Transport Canada made the trek to the North Pole to personally survey Santa’s zero-emission sleigh, making sure the bells are jingling at the right volume and that Rudolph’s nose was working at full brightness.

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Santa said he’s ready for another festive gift-giving night.

“It’s very joyous and I can’t wait to do it. We enjoy giving out gifts and we work all year for it.”

Santa’s final day at Gateway Mall is on Saturday and will be available for photos from 12 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. and again from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Those wondering when Santa will be back in Prince Albert to deliver gifts can track his whereabouts on the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) Tracks Santa’s website on Dec. 24. The site features a holiday countdown, games, movie theater, holiday music, web store, and more.

People tracking Santa can also call 1-877-HI-NORAD to ask live operators about Santa’s location from 7 a.m. to 1 a.m.

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loganc.lehmann@pattisonmedia.com