<h4><b>By MIKE McCOMBS</b></h4>
We’re in the month of December, which means Christmas is right around the corner and that, of course, means Santa Claus.

Here’s a roundup of some of the places you can find Santa in the Beaufort area over the next couple of weeks:

<b>Smile for Santa</b>

From 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. the next two Saturdays, Dec. 7 and 14, Santa will be appearing at the Port Royal
Farmer’s Market.

The Beaufort Garden Club is holding its fourth annual Smile for Santa event. Bring your children, grandchildren and/or pets to the Gazebo area at the market and have your picture taken with Santa.

Your photo will then be emailed to you. A $5 donation is suggested. All proceeds will go to local charities.

<b>Beaufort Christmas Parade</b>

At 3 p.m. this Sunday, Dec. 8, Santa will be at the Beaufort Christmas Parade through downtown Beaufort on Boundary, Carteret and Bay streets. Decorated floats, marching bands, and Santa!

<b>Beaufort County Airport</b>

Santa Claus will fly into the Beaufort County Airport at Lady’s Island at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15 to hear what his fans want for Christmas. The youngsters are invited to listen as the Control Tower talks Santa through his final leg into Beaufort as he takes a break from his recon of the Lowcountry before his Christmas Eve flight.

Santa asked the Beaufort Aviation Association and pilot, Jerry Hyde, to help him meet some of his eager fans. Since he is refreshing himself with our cookies and milk, he, in return, has gifts for all the youngsters. Enjoy light refreshments for all.

For more information and to RSVP, contact James Atkins at jamesatkins100@gmail.com or 843-812-9909.

<b>Burton Fire District’s holiday ride</b>

Santa is coordinating with Burton fire officials for his annual holiday ride, when he rides on fire trucks through Burton neighborhoods to meet local children and hand out candy with fire safety messages. Santa’s planned route is posted each night on the Burton Fire District’s Facebook page until all streets within the Burton Fire District have had a visit.

“Santa and firefighters have always had a close friendship,” Burton Fire Chief Harry Rountree said in a release. “We are all too happy to help Santa Claus and our Burton families have a great holiday season. We are there for our citizens when they need us, and most of the year that means helping them through some of their worst days, but this is the time of year we can now help them have a wonderful time, along with a happy and safe
holiday season.”

<b>Santa Tour</b>

The Lady’s Island/St. Helena Fire Department will be bringing Santa to locations around Beaufort the next couple weeks, as well.

6-8:30 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 10, Cat Island.

7:30-8:30 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 11, Sea Point Apartments.

6-8 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 12, Oyster Bluff.

5:30-8:30 p.m., Friday, Dec. 13, Scott Hill Community Center, St. Helena Island.

4-8:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 14, Lady’s Island Walmart, Christmas Festival, Upper parking lot.

6-8:30 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 17, S. Magnolia, Nichols Place.

5:30-8:30 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 18, New Life Deliverance Temple Christmas Extravaganza, St. Helena Island.

5:30-8:30 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 19, Telfair.

5-8:30 p.m., Friday, Dec. 20, Lady’s Island Walmart, inside store.

<b>Write letters to Santa</b>

Through Wednesday, Dec. 18, the City of Beaufort/Town of Port Royal Fire Department will have a special mailbox at each fire station to collect letters to Santa. Each child will get a letter back.

Please make sure each letter has the child’s name and a legible return address.

Mailboxes will be located at the following locations: 135 Ribaut Road, 1120 Ribaut Road, 1750 Paris Avenue and 571 Robert Small Parkway (at the rear of the station).

Santa is also entrusting Burton firefighters to handle his mail.

The Burton Fire District has installed mailboxes at all of the Burton Fire District fire stations so they will be ready to start receiving letters from local children. Once again, every letter Santa receives with a name and return address will receive a personal written respons. Burton’s mailboxes will be up until
Dec. 17.

If you know of any other upcoming Santa Claus appearances, please send them to TheIslandNews@gmail.com.