Arianna Alvarado, 3, dances with a teddy bear during the show.
Candy-stripped students of Denisa’s School of Dance perform for family and friends at the Marketplace.
Denisa’s School of Dance students lead Santa around the Marketplace at Merced shopping center, formally known as the Merced Mall.
Young children wave as Santa arrives on a Fire Department truck in front of the Marketplace at Merced.
A tiny dancer from Denisa’s School of Dance enjoys an upbeat conversation with Santa Claus at the Marketplace at Merced, also known as the Mall. The jolly old fellow arrived to town last Saturday on a big red truck, courtesy of the Merced Fire Department.
Denisa’s School of Dance performers were treated to group photos with Santa after the show. Mr. Claus will be at the Marketplace at Merced (The Mall) to receive wishes and take photos with family through Christmas Eve.
Kiera Velazquez, 4, and fellow tiny dancers perform a dance routine for Santa’s arrival.
Dancers lead Santa on a tour of the Marketplace as shoppers look on.
A tiny dancer from Denisa’s School of Dance enjoys an upbeat conversation with Santa Claus at the Marketplace at Merced, also known as the Mall. The jolly old fellow arrived to town last Saturday on a big red truck, courtesy of the Merced Fire Department.
Candy-stripped students of Denisa’s School of Dance perform for family and friends at the Marketplace.
Santa Claus has made it to Merced once again to celebrate the holiday season with youngsters and their parents.
In a tradition that has endured for more than 30 years, Santa arrived on a firetruck provided by the Merced Fire Department. He went straight to the Marketplace at Merced, formally the Merced Mall, where he was greeted by excited young dancers from Denisa’s School of Dance. The tiny dancers performed various numbers for Santa, such as “Jingle Bell Rock” and “Teddy Bear For Christmas.” Santa later took his place on a great big chair for photos with children and entire families.
“I feel wonderful,” Santa told the Times. “I have read many letters from Merced, and now I finally get to talk to the local people, face to face.”
Santa said this year he’s been receiving a lot of requests for classic toys, such as Lego gifts, monster trucks and Barbie dolls.
Santa will be at Marketplace at Merced through Christmas eve. However, daily photo hours with Santa can vary, so please check his schedule online at: marketplaceatmerced.com. There will also be a Pet Photo Night on Dec. 4.