NORTH ADAMS, Mass. – The elves may be busy in the North Pole but Santa Claus is spending his days on Main Street.
Standing in front of ATEF Fine Jeweler, Santa can be seen handing out candy canes and waving to cars.
“It’s so great to see the kids happy,” Santa said. “This is my first year out here."
Though he does receive a small stipend from the jeweler, the money is not the reason he stands on the street from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. each day.
“I’m having fun. You’re never too big for Christmas,” he said while cars beep horns at him and a woman reminds him that she has been good all year.
He began on Tuesday and will be out there every day until Christmas Eve. Christmas Eve will be an early day, he said. Of course, he has to get back to the North Pole.
Santa enjoys North Adams so much, he said he might return next year too.
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:: Preliminary Election: Deadline to register is Wednesday, Sept. 7. (Office open from 8 to 8.)
:: General Election: Deadline to register is Tuesday, Oct. 18
Registration can be completed at the city clerk's office at City Hall.
Absentee ballots are now available at the city clerk's office for the Sept. 27 preliminary city election. Voters may come in between the hours of 8 and 4:30 weekdays. Written reguests for mailed ballots can be sent to City Clerk's Office, 10 Main St., North Adams, MA 01247. Deadline for absentee ballots is Monday, Sept. 26, at noon.
The preliminary election will be held Tuesday, Sept. 27, to narrow the field of three mayoral candidates to two. The general election to select nine city councilors and a mayor will be held Tuesday, Nov. 8.