Crowding the Common for Holiday Cheer This Weekend

For the third year in a row, Santa Claus arrives on the front lawn of the Sumner House at Shrewsbury Town Common by way of firetruck to meet and greet his biggest fans.

It's all part of the annual "Festivities on the Common" event hosted by Heald and Chiampa Funeral Home.

"We host this on the first Saturday of every December," said Jim Heald, owner of Heald and Chiampa Funeral Home. "The weather is supposed to be ideal. We had well over 300 people last year, and it's turned into an annual town tradition. We're a funeral home, but we've become recognized as something 'other than a funeral home.'"

The event includes holiday music, food, and a gift from Santa for all the kids. Photos are taken of the visits, and families will receive copies of them free of charge.

Festivities begin at 12:30 p.m. and continue until 3 p.m., with Santa arriving on the scene at 1 p.m.