CARIBOU, Maine — Caribou kicked off December by holding a gingerbread decorating event and a workshop with Santa Claus at the Recreation and Wellness Center on Friday.
By the time Santa arrived via fire truck at about 6:30 p.m., the rec center parking lot was packed and volunteers had to shine flashlights at incoming drivers, redirecting them to park at the Caribou Learning Center next door.
Caribou Marketing and Events Coordinator Christina Kane-Gibson said the event is so popular with local residents that many are put on a waiting list to participate in the gingerbread house decorating. On Nov. 24, she said that more than 240 people already had signed up to decorate gingerbread houses, with about 35 people on the waiting list.
A large line of parents and children formed at the Caribou Recreation and Wellness Center in anticipation of meeting Santa Claus during a Dec. 1 Christmas event. (Christopher Bouchard)
Kane-Gibson said Mayor Gary Aiken’s wife Barbara Aiken had been recruiting volunteers and preparing for the gingerbread house decorating since July of this year. In addition, Caribou High School JMG (Jobs for Maine Graduates) students dressed up as elves and recreation staffers helped with the event.
The line for Santa’s workshop, which required no sign up, also was long, and full of parents and children excited to spend time with Santa, create Christmas wish lists, and work on crafts.
Workshop volunteers also were giving away to children mittens made by members of Aroostook RSVP (Retired and Senior Volunteer Program) and scarves made by local citizen Norma Shaw in addition to cookies donated by Hannaford.
Kane-Gibson said the main goal of the family event was to make sure area children are able to make Christmas memories in the city.
