The Onset Bay Association’s Christmas in the Park event this Saturday, had Onset businesses abuzz with kids taking part in a variety of activities. There were Christmas stories at Salerno’s, ornament decorating at Eye of the Goddess, snowflake making at the Victorian Cafe, face-painting at the Sunrise Cafe, letter-writing and visits to Santa, and many more activities.

Particularly popular was the Talking Tree in Dudley Square, which offered kids a candy cane from its branches and asked them what they wanted for Christmas. The Tree answered some questions, but Loraine McDonald, who has been doing this for 15 years, asked that the secret to its verbal abilities not be revealed...It’s just magic.

Santa heralded the start of the event when he blew through Onset Center on a red fire engine. There was a line snaking out the door of the Onset Fire Department as kids filed in to tell Santa their Christmas wishes.

At Onset Hair and Beauty supply, girls were getting holiday-themed manicures from employee Peter Holmes.

Across the street at the Sunrise Café, boys and girls had their faces painted. Over at the Victorian Café, John Doering strummed holiday tunes on his guitar, and kids made snowflakes out of paper.

The day was as sunny as the mood in Onset as kids milled about with their parents, enjoying the festivities.