STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK

Listen up, kids: Santa’s coming to Ketchum and his reindeer are, too.

They’re all in town for the City of Ketchum’s annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony.

The holiday treat will be held from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 3, at Ketchum Town Square.

Santa will arrive on a fire truck at 5 p.m., the reindeer will mosey around, and the Silver Sage Girl Scouts will perform festive holiday melodies.

There will be complimentary hot cocoa and cookies, courtesy of the City of Ketchum. And hot toddies and other adult beverages will be available for purchase.

Children will have an opportunity to drop their letters to Santa off in a special mailbox set up by the city that handles only letters destined for the North Pole.

And Starbucks is partnering with the Shoshone Project to accept coats, hats, scarves, gloves and blankets of all sizes. The coats and gloves, which can be dropped off in orange bins at Starbucks, on stage and near the reindeer, will be given to residents of Lincoln County, along with holiday food baskets and kids’ toys.

"We are thrilled to invite everyone to our annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony," said Mayor Neil Bradshaw. "It's a wonderful tradition that brings our community together to celebrate the magic of the holidays. With Santa arriving on a fire truck, live reindeer and the beautiful voices of the Girl Scouts, this year's event is sure to be unforgettable!

WAIT! THERE’S MORE

The special Santa Mail box will be set up at Ketchum City Hall, 191 5th Street West, in the days leading up to and after the tree lighting.

Starbucks will have drop-off clothing bins for the Shoshone Project before and after the tree lighting ceremony. Financial donations can be made at https://www.shoshoneproject.org/donate.