By SALINA POST
For more than a quarter-century, the Georgetown Santas have delighted visitors with their annual holiday tradition in Salina, and this December will be no different. The Georgetown Santas event will take place December 21-23 from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. each evening on Georgetown Road.
During the three-night event, the Santas and their cheerful team of elves will hand out candy and freshly popped popcorn to visitors, spreading the Christmas spirit to all who stop by.
The tradition began in 1999 with Santa Jack Schmiedeler, who stood at the end of his driveway, waving at passersby and handing out candy to those who stopped. The following year, Santa Paul McDaniel joined the effort, and soon, Santas Pete Martin, Mike Chaput, and Mel Augustine became part of the team. With their growing group of helpers—Justin Martin, Virgil Michaelis, and Larry Thompson—the Santas added freshly popped popcorn to their offerings.
What started as a small gesture has grown into a cherished Christmas tradition, drawing thousands of visitors each year. From local neighbors arriving on foot to travelers from out of state, the Georgetown Santas greet everyone with joy. Each season, they distribute hundreds of pounds of candy, thousands of candy canes, and more than 350 pounds of popcorn over the course of the event.
For the Santas and their helpers, the reason for the tradition is simple: spreading joy during the holiday season.
For more information about the Georgetown Santas Click Here.