Santa makes weekend appearances in Merrill and Pine River

Santa Claus visited with children at the Sixth Annual Santa in the Firehouse event at the Pine River Volunteer Fire Department last Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, from 1-4 p.m. Firefighters were on hand to show kids the fire trucks and hand out gift bags while Santa posed for photos with children and families in attendance. Attendees also enjoyed cookies and cocoa, and the youngsters registered for a chance to win a brand-new boys bike and a girls bike.
Santa then headed downtown to Ace Hardware for the second annual Merry Merrill Market, where he visited with and posed for more photos with children and adults who came out to eat, drink, and be merry — and to shop Merrill’s local businesses for Christmas gifts, crafts, décor, and more. Most of his visitors professed to have been “nice” all year, though Santa said a few did confess to being “naughty.” He added there is still time to turn that behavior around before Christmas, as he is still making his list and checking it twice.
The bitter cold wind chills couldn’t keep locals and visitors from coming out to enjoy all the magic of Merrill’s downtown during this special event. However, the food trucks did bow out of the event due to the temps. Some of the outdoor vendors did, as well, while some area businesses opened their doors to house outside vendors inside their warm businesses so they could set up indoors, to keep them involved. Other area businesses like Auntie Ray’s Coffee House and the Cosmo Hall were already hosting vendors and crafters inside.
Participating area businesses were very pleased with the turnout, especially in light of the weekend weather, and Merrill’s downtown shopowners are already making plans for next year’s event.