Santa Claus pays a visit to the Benicia Fire Department last year. (Photo courtesy of Gina Eleccion)

Every Dec. 24, Santa Claus becomes a globetrotter traveling the world to deliver presents to all the good boys and girls. However, upcoming events seem to indicate that Santa has a particular fondness for Benicia, given how many trips he will be making to meet children while his elves are making toys in the North Pole.

Tomorrow will be a particularly busy day for the jolly Christmas figure. He will be one of several participants in the Christmas Parade along First Street, which begins at 10 a.m. Then Santa will make his way to the Southampton Shopping Center for a special visit with the children of Benicia. Parents are encouraged to bring their cameras. This event will be held in between the AT&T Store and Sport Clips from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will be repeated Saturday, Dec. 17 at the same time.

After that, it is off to the Benicia Fire Department where Santa will be meeting children from 4 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 10. New this year will be local magician Gerald Joseph who will entertain children as they wait in line. Benicia High School’s Leadership class and members of the Parks and Community Services Department will also be present. There will also be a session for children with special needs from 2 to 3 p.m. The department is located at 150 Military West and will also be accepting newly purchased, unwrapped toys for the nonprofit Toys for Tots. The donation bins are available throughout the department and also at Fire Station 12, located at 601 Hastings Drive, and the Benicia Senior Center, located at 187 East L St.

The event at the fire department is free and open to the public.

“It will be a great event rain or shine,” Management Analyst Gina Eleccion said. “We’ll be happy to see the turnout.”

For more information, contact Eleccion at 746-4272.

Mr. Kringle will also be at Pizza Pirate from 6 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 14 and Sunday, Dec. 18. In between the pizzas, pastas, soups and salads, kids will have an opportunity to have their picture taken with Santa for free. Pizza Pirate is located at 72 Solano Square.

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