You better watch out; you better not cry; you better not pout; I’m telling you why: Santa Claus is coming to the fairgrounds.
Fresh off a successful run with the Halloween-themed Scare Fair, the Clackamas County Fairgrounds has announced the new Winter Fair just in time for Christmas a quarter-mile drive-thru experience featuring thousands of lights, a 100-foot light tunnel and even Santa Claus himself (on select nights).
“We had such a good experience the Scare Fair, we thought we’d do something similar for Christmas,” Events and Marketing Coordinator Tyler Nizer told The Canby Current. “It’s been in the works for a while. We wanted to bring something new to the community and, hopefully, give people something to experience over the holiday season in a safe manner.”
The Scare Fair drew nearly 6,000 guests through its four-week run — more than a third of those on Halloween weekend itself.
Saint Nick — who is scheduled to appear on Fridays and Saturdays throughout the Winter Fair run, as well as Sunday, Dec. 20, and Wednesday, Dec. 23 — will be played by “Canby’s Santa,” Ed Grautski, who for many years has donned the red suit and cap (the beard is all his) for the town’s Light Up the Night parade and many other holiday events.
Nizer said guests will be welcome to wave at Santa and take pictures (from their cars). Regardless of whether the Jolly Old Elf is at his sleigh or off on official Christmas business, a mailbox will be available for children to drop off letters for Santa, Nizer added.
The fairgrounds is working with The Christmas Light Guys to build-out the new attraction — which is not what we’re calling them because we forgot to ask the name. It’s what the Salem-based commercial lighting vendor is actually called.
The fairgrounds is also partnering with K103 FM (103.3) — which plays Christmas music all throughout the Christmas season — to add sounds to the sights of the holidays.
The Clackamas County Winter Fair runs 5 to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 5 to 9 p.m. Thursdays and Sundays Nov. 27 through Dec. 13. Starting Dec. 17, the attraction will be open nightly (except for Christmas) through the end of the month.
Tickets are $20 per vehicle, or $25 on nights featuring Santa, if purchased in advance online. They may also be purchased at the gate for $5 more. The ticket covers an entire vehicle and as many people as you can safely (and legally) fit inside.
Tickets and additional details are available now at CCWinterFair.com.