Santa will be spending some of his summer vacation in Franklin on Saturday during the Franklin Retail and Business Association’s Christmas in July event.
The event, which was held last year but has grown this year, will bring Santa Claus to the Franklin Curb Market (currently being held in the city’s parking lot D, by the UPMC Magee Women’s Health office and PNC Bank) from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, after which he will be in the Franklin Area Chamber of Commerce.
He will be handing out s’mores kits for kids, as well as coupon cards for adults which will feature deals at participating Franklin businesses for the Christmas in July event.
“He’s summer Santa, so not in full regalia,” remarked Franklin Retail and Business Association Administrator Ryan Rudegeair, who officially took over this month from former administrator Jennifer Taylor after working with her for some months.
Other features of the Christmas in July event will include an elf scavenger hunt for all ages throughout retail stores downtown. Those who complete the hunt will be entered to win a Retail Association gift card, Rudegeair said.
And the Liberty Street Little Band is set to play music on the corner of Liberty and West Park streets.
DeBence Antique Music World will be playing Christmas music outside its museum. DeBence also has its own event taking place that day — a free family day, featuring kids’ activities, a touch-an-instrument station and its own scavenger hunt.
Rudegeair said a lot of businesses have signed up to participate in Christmas in July this year, and it’s for people to “just come in and … enjoy the stores and shop around town.”
