SE Valley Times

Santa Claus will be making his final visits to Merry Main Street in Mesa this week, giving children the opportunity to share their last-minute Christmas wishes and take photos with the jolly old man himself. The Post, located at 26 N. Macdonald, will be hosting Santa from December 21 to December 23, between 4 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.

These visits from Santa have become one of the highlights of Merry Main Street, a festive event that brings holiday cheer to downtown Mesa. According to a spokesperson from the City of Mesa, "Visits from Santa are always a special moment for children and families. We are delighted to have Santa Claus join us once again this year."

But Santa won't be the only North Pole ambassador spreading joy in Mesa. Bingles, the Gnome on the Roam, will also be making appearances throughout the city. This adorable character will be stopping at various popular Mesa locations to bring holiday cheer to residents and visitors. To keep up with Bingles' activities on Main Street, the City of Mesa encourages everyone to follow their social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

In addition to the visits from Santa and Bingles, there are plenty of other activities to enjoy at Merry Main Street. The Winter Wonderland Ice Rink, located at the Plaza at Mesa City Center, will be open daily (except on December 25) until January 6. Skating enthusiasts can purchase tickets for a specific day and session at merrymainst.com/icerink. And for teenagers who want to have some fun on the ice, there will be a special Teen Skate time on December 22 and December 29 from 3 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. Tickets for Teen Skate are $10 and should be purchased in advance.

Other activities at Merry Main Street include Holiday Happenings at the MAC (Mesa Arts Center), Holiday Movies at the Plaza on Saturdays, and Jack Frost's Food Truck Forest on Fridays and Saturdays at Pioneer Park. Visitors can also enjoy the beautiful Mesa Temple Christmas Lights until December 31.

Merry Main Street is made possible through a partnership with various community organizations and sponsors, including AT&T Fiber, the City of Mesa, Mesa Parks and Recreation, Downtown Mesa Association, Visit Mesa, Mesa Chamber of Commerce, and several others.

For a complete list of Merry Main Street activities, including dates and times, interested individuals can visit the official website at merrymainst.com. So, don't miss out on the chance to meet Santa Claus and join in on the festive fun at Merry Main Street this week in Mesa.

To find out more, go to this link: https://www.mesaaz.gov/Home/Components/News/News/9161/16