Some wide-eyed children had a close encounter of the Christmas kind at Barrie's waterfront.
Santa and Mrs. Claus were recently spotted strolling through the Rotary Club's Christmas light display at Heritage Park.
Looking like they just stepped out of the book The Night Before Christmas, Ken and Carol Worsley - Santa's helpers in Barrie - were on their way to a children's Christmas party but were early so they stopped to check out the lights.
The couple, who got married this year, looked very much the part of the world famous elves from the North Pole.
Carol sewed her own Mrs. Claus costume and Ken's Santa suit was a new purchase this year.
Dressing as Santa is a family tradition.
"I used to wear my dad's costume. I retired his costume last year and bought a new one," said Ken.
His father used to appear as Santa at a community hall every year when Ken was growing up.
"I went one year and I said to my mom afterwards, 'That looked like dad. Was that dad?" he laughed.
Ken has been dressing up as Santa for the past five for his work party and Carol is on board with the Christmas spirit.
Both have lots of fun playing the part and doing good deeds on Santa's behalf.
"Yesterday we drove all over town. Went to a couple Timmies and paid for people's meals behind us," said Carol.
"The second Timmies we went to on Hart Drive, people could see us through the windows and were waving. So we pull up to the window to pay and she says, 'You guys look so great, your lunch is on the house.' They gave us a couple fo free sandwiches."
Ken has perfected his 'Ho, ho, ho' and listened to a few Christmas wishes from children at the park before the Worsleys went on their way.
