Two businesses in Frenship will both play host to a most-welcome guest in many households: Santa Claus.
Peoples Bank apparently does not have a chimney and the reindeer are prepping for Dec. 25, so Santa will arrive in style in a red helicopter at 9 a.m. Saturday.
Santa will be available for a three-hour visit with children and parents in the Peoples Bank lobby at 5820 82nd St.
Spike Wideman, senior vice president of Peoples Bank, said the event is free, and parents are welcome to bring a camera to take free photos with Santa.
“It’s kind of a free gift to people in our neighborhood, as well as our customers and our staff,” said Wideman.
The event has become a tradition at Peoples Bank — this is the third year Santa will be on hand.
In the past, Wideman said as many as 300 children have sat on Santa’s lap at the bank.
“This particular Santa is a little different,” said Wideman, noting that he generally tells children to mind their parents, eat good food and be healthy. “Santa does a little more of a personal visit with the kids.
“He tells kids, ‘I know you’ve been fighting with your brother,’ ” he said, adding that it seems to be a pretty good guess among kids visiting the bank with their siblings.
Santa will move on down the street at noon to the Betenbough New Home Center at 65178 82nd St. from noon to 4 p.m.
Children can take part in decorating a Christmas ornament in one of three new homes decorated for Christmas. At Gummy Manor, gummy treats will be available, while Sugar Chateau will have other candies.
Kendall Wheeler, a marketing coordinator for Betenbough, said this is Betenbough’s sixth annual Christmas event, although it is the first at the New Home Center.
“It’s just kind of turned into a tradition for us,” she said. “It’s a really great way to give back to our homeowners.”
Wheeler said photos will be printed onsite for free, and participants can sip hot chocolate, egg nog and cider while listening to carolers.
Betenbough employees have been decorating for the event since Nov. 1, she said.
“We’ve been in the Christmas spirit for about a month now,” said Wheeler.