Christmas Open House: Santa is coming to town
Santa will make an early visit to Santa Clarita for Heritage Junction’s 37th annual Christmas Open House and the Cowboys and Carols event at Hart Park on Saturday.
From 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., families will have the opportunity to tour the historic buildings, take photos in front of the steam locomotive, make gingerbread houses and other crafts and send letters to the North Pole. This year, the event will feature live Christmas caroling by the Canyon High School show choir and performances from live musicians. Children are welcome to visit with Santa Claus in the Newhall Ranch House.
“This is the one time of year where we let people peek inside the historical buildings,” said Cathy Martin, events coordinator for the Santa Clarita Historical Society. “Heritage junction houses the history of the Santa Clarita valley and it’s a fun opportunity to get out with the family and learn about the area. This is a Christmas event but if people of other faiths want to come, the more the merrier.”
The event will also host its traditional blessing of the animals by Pastor Craig Cox from Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church at 1 p.m. at the Ramona Chapel. Martin said that she implemented the animal blessing sometime around the year 2000 after she saw a similar blessing on Olvera Street. Participants in the blessing will receive a certificate.
“The blessing of animals has a long history in the Catholic church that is tied to Francis of Assisi and a reminder of the enrichment that pets and animals bring to our lives,” said Father Craig, who took over doing the blessing about four years ago. “People generally only bring their dogs, but if people wanted to bring snakes, guinea pigs or even a horse I would be glad to bless them as long as they’re safe to be around other animals. We often get jaded by modern life, so this blessing is a reminder of wonder of creation.”
Father Craig noted that all people are welcome to have their animals blessed regardless of personal faith beliefs or absence thereof.
At 4 p.m., Friends of Hart Park will celebrate their Cowboys and Carols event at Hart Hall in Newhall Park. Children will have the opportunity to spend more time with Santa while enjoying sweet treats like cookies and hot chocolate and also interact with some barnyard animals, including alpacas. Shuttles will be available to take visitors up to the Hart Mansion, where guests can go on tours of silent film star William S. Hart’s ranch home. Then at 7 p.m., the Valencia High School choir performs.
“This isn’t one of those holiday events that’s just for adults to get out and drink,” Martin said. “It’s a great way for families to start celebrating the Christmas season.”