According to one of the event’s organizers, Suzanne Dazé, the event was a collaboration of the Knights of Columbus, Le Patro and the Maison de la Famille du Pontiac. She said that the event has been a tradition in the village for nearly 30 years.

With the holidays around the corner, the event was an opportunity for parents to get together and socialize and for kids to meet Santa Claus, while enjoying a delicious meal at an affordable price.

The event kicked off at around 5 p.m. with a word of welcome from Dazé who thanked everyone for attending while wishing the community a joyful holiday season.

Then, attendees formed a long line into the kitchen, where several volunteers served plates of spaghetti and homemade buns. A number of other volunteers worked hard in the back of the kitchen, preparing even more food as pots of noodles were emptying fast.

At around 5:30 p.m., Santa Claus rolled in for an appearance, to the delight of the many kids in the building. Kids had the chance to meet the man in person, pose for pictures and let him know what they wanted under the tree this year.

A short while later, a group of local dancers, disguised as gypsy witches, called the Moon Broomers, entertained a large crowd of attendees with a set of choreographed dance routines.

Thanks to the local Daughters of Isabella and the Knights of Columbus, every child under the age of 12 who attended was able to go home with a toy as a Christmas present, Dazé said.

Plus, parents who were interested were graced with a special workshop on winter car safety, which included tips and tricks on how to properly install child car seats.

For Dazé, the event is very positive for residents because it gives them a chance to enjoy a delicious, holiday meal while not having to break the bank for a night out with their family.

“It’s a great get-together,” she said. “It gives a chance to families who don’t have the means of going out … certainly, we’re doing this, all for the children.”

At just $6 per ticket, for people 12 years and up, attendees got to indulge in spaghetti, topped with delicious tomato sauce, along with a wide array of home-made pastries and sweets for dessert.

While the event usually doesn’t raise a fortune, Daze said that the most important part about putting it on is to give back to the people who support them.

“It’s all for the community,” she said.

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