Santa Day Brings Fun in Makoti, N.D.

Saturday, December 12, was a day of fun in Makoti, North Dakota, where several local businesses and individuals put on a Santa Day celebration. The Santa Day celebration was held at the local Senior Center and about forty people showed up. Several Makoti high school students sold coffee, hot chocolate, and baked goods to help raise money for a trip they are taking later this year.

Santa Day is an annual tradition that has been around for many years and just recently started offering sleigh rides. There is a gentleman around the area that dresses up as Santa and has his own sled that is pulled with two big horses. After posing for pictures with children and getting their Christmas wishes, Santa took kids and adults of all ages on sleigh rides.

A raffle was held to raise money for the local Makoti swimming pool, open in the summer. Tickets were five dollars and all proceeds went to benefit the pool. There were three things raffled, a gift certificate to an area grocery store, half a pig, and a gift certificate to another local business. In addition to the pool raffle, several businesses and individuals donated turkeys which were given as prizes as well. Instead of purchasing tickets for those, one only needed to sign up at the door, the only stipulation was only one winner per house hold. Pretty much every family received a turkey because not as many people showed up as were expected because of the weather. It was really cold with the wind.

We talked to a long time citizen of Makoti, Allison Larson, about her experience at Santa Day and she gave us this. "Santa Day has always been a treat for the people of this community. Both young and old enjoy the festivities and it's just nice to get out of the house once in a while. My seven month old daughter really enjoyed the sleigh rides, even though she wouldn't sit on Santa's lap because she was scared of him."

Santa Day has come and gone which means Christmas is just around the corner. Most of the children have gotten their Christmas lists to Santa and the count down is on. For the residents of Makoti, North Dakota, Santa Day marks the beginning of the Christmas season. We look forward to this day next year, as we will know it will be a great success just as it was this year, and will be so every year.