Santa Claus is coming to town, and you can visit him at the Milanof-Schock Library. Santa will be at the library, 1184 Anderson Ferry Road, Mount Joy, from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 26, and from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Dec. 10.

The visits are sponsored by the Mount Joy Chamber of Commerce, which has been holding the holiday celebration for seven years. "We are thankful to the library for helping us to host this annual event," said Kerry Meyers, executive director of the Chamber. "Santa will be excitedly waiting to hear what each child would like for Christmas."

Along with sharing their wish lists with the jolly old elf, children will receive a holiday-themed coloring page, crayons and a cookie, courtesy of Chamber Diamond member and major sponsor Lanco Federal Credit Union. The credit union will also provide each family with a free 5-by-7-inch color photo.

At the Nov. 26 visit, the Friends of the Milanof-Schock Library will have make-and-take crafts for children and will sell kids' Christmas books and tickets to win a gingerbread house. The Friends' Book Nook at the library will also be open. On Dec. 10, there will be Christmas books, cookies and gingerbread house tickets for sale.

The library will have a food truck on-site at the Santa visits, featuring cupcakes, hot chocolate, coffee and hot cider for purchase.

The Chamber will sell its 2022 ornaments, featuring the Good Ship Mountjoy, on each date. A small number of 2021 ornaments will also be available while supplies last. A discount will be offered for the 2021 ornaments or for purchasing both ornaments together. Selecting the ship that gave the town its name was an easy choice for the ornament, Meyers said, noting, "It was actually a unanimous board decision, since it is a part of Mount Joy's history." Ornaments will also be for sale at the Chamber office, 62 E. Main St., on Tuesdays through Fridays from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Meyers explained that hosting events like the visit with Santa is an important part of the Chamber. "The Chamber is all about giving back to the community for supporting our local Chamber member businesses," she stated, adding that all Chamber events are free to the community. "We couldn't do these free events without our Chamber members, Upgraded Chamber members and the support we receive from our members doing sponsorships for our annual fundraisers like our Chamber Giving Tree and Chamber chicken barbecue," she shared. "The public support of our annual chicken barbecue is also a huge part of our annual fundraising."