Santa Claus was in Mariposa last week to meet with the team planning the Merry Mountain Christmas event scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 12. “This is a great event for Mariposa families,” Santa said. “The day starts with a parade through downtown, then moves to the Courthouse lawn for more family activities, and ends with a bonfire, tree lighting, free hot dogs, and I’ll be there to visit with the children.”

The day’s events are

scheduled as follows: 1 p.m. parade through downtown Mariposa; 2 to 9 p.m. face painting, cake walk, candy cane, Christmas caroling, vendors’ booths, sign up for free bike raffles; 4 to 5 p.m., parade awards ceremony; 5 to 9 p.m., bonfire; 6 to 9 p.m., Santa arrives, DJ sound system, Christmas caroling, hot dogs, popcorn, hot chocolate, and coffee compliments of the Mariposa Lions Club; 8 p.m., bike raffles.

This event is sponsored by the Mariposa Chamber of Commerce and the Mariposa Lions Club. For more information, call the Mariposa Chamber of Commerce at 966-2456 visit www.mariposachamber.org, or call Mariposa Lions members Bill Nance at 742-6480 or Earl Crutchfield at 966-6852.