ONEONTA _ Santa Claus is coming to town!
And he will be joined by Mrs. Claus as they arrive in Oneonta this Saturday on a horse-drawn wagon. But instead of a horde of elves in tow, there will be about 100 area Girl Scouts.
The annual Santa Parade will begin at 11 a.m. and wind from Elm Street to Main Street to Chestnut Street Extension. The procession is expected to feature candy, floats, firetrucks, jugglers and dozens of members of Girl Scout Service Unit 643, who will be collecting donations for the Opportunities for Otsego Holiday Food Basket program.
After the parade, Santa will take up residence in his cottage in Muller Plaza until 3 p.m. Mrs. Claus will hold holiday story time at the Green Toad Bookstore at 198 Main St.
The Santa Parade is being organized by Main Street Oneonta, a volunteer organization of individuals and businesses who work to promote downtown Oneonta.
Activities Saturday also include Family Fun Day with Mark Shepard at the Wilber Mansion from 1 to 3 p.m., according to a media release from Main Street Oneonta.
Jessica Kline, a leader of Girl Scout Troop 548, said Monday that there are nine troops from Oneonta and one from Laurens planning to participate in the parade. The troops include about 100 Girl Scouts of all ages, Kline said.
The Girl Scouts have traditionally participated in the Santa Parade, but this year is different.
"This year, it's a little bit more," Kline said.
The Scouts are asking the public to bring food donations, which will be collected during the parade.
The Scouts will be providing the donors with "goodie bags" and certificates for free hot chocolate that will be served at a stand set up in Muller Plaza.
"They are really excited about it," Kline said. "They are really looking forward to it."
The Scouts have chosen a chef theme and will be dressed in decorated aprons and chef hats.
Their effort to collect donations for OFO is not just limited to the parade. They have also been working with elementary schools and will volunteer at OFO's food bank next month to help put the baskets together, Kline said.
"They want to follow it all the way through," Kline said.
Santa will also be in his cottage on Muller Plaza at the following dates and times:
"¢ Friday, Nov. 27; 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
"¢ Saturday, Nov. 28; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
"¢ Thursday, Dec. 3; 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
"¢ Saturday, Dec. 5; 10 a.m. to noon and 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.
"¢ Thursday, Dec. 10; 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
"¢ Saturday, Dec. 12; 11 a.m. to noon and 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.
"¢ Thursday, Dec. 17; 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
"¢ Friday, Dec. 18; 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
"¢ Saturday, Dec. 19; 10 a.m. to noon and 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.
