There is a whole lot of jolly coming to Cochrane's Spray Lake Sawmills Family Sports Centre (SLSFSC) this weekend.

Santa will be arriving this Saturday to SLSFSC and will be housed in a custom made Kingsmith Santa home. Arriving at noon, Santa will be available for pictures between 12 and 2pm on Saturday.

With construction of Cochrane's new aquatic and curling centre happening at SLSFSC, Santa needed a new locale.

Robin Mitchell, General Manager at SLSFSC, thought who better to approach than local home builder Kingsmith Homes to make Santa a portable new throne.

"We approached Kingsmth Homes and now Santa has a brand new workshop that he will be visiting over the next three weeks."

For $5, families are invited to pose with Santa for pictures with a reminder to bring their own camera.

Also this Saturday, is the Cochrane Lionesses inaugural event of the Festival of Trees. Local businesses and community groups will be displaying their special decorated trees for public viewing.

Crystal Bohn, Cochrane Lioness, says they are happy with the support they have received in their first year.

"So far we have 10 trees set up, and we are very pleased as that's a great start."

Bohn goes on to say that some businesses are decorating their trees themed around their business.

"Winter Photographics is one of our sponsors and their tree has a memory theme, where people can go down to Winter Photographics and get a family photo put on a metal ornament and that is what they are going to use to decorate the tree. And A&W is another sponsor and they have a rustic orange and brown theme."

The public is invited to come view the trees in Totem 2 and cast their votes at SLSFSC guest services anytime between the 5th and the 27th.

All monies raised from the event are being donated to the Southern Alberta Ronald McDonald House which provide a home away from home for families who have children staying at Alberta Children's Hospital.

The Boys and Girls Club of Cochrane and Area are also hosting their annual silent auction on Saturday; with cookies, hot chocolate, and story time provided by Mrs. Claus herself.

It will be a busy, bustling time at SLSFSC this weekend; but Santa will be back over the next couple weekends in case you miss him.

Marni Fedeyko - airdrienews@goldenwestradio.com