Hundreds of people walked through the snow in Onset Village on Saturday for a decades-old tradition, Christmas in the Parks.

Christmas in the Parks provides holiday activities, snacks and gifts for kids in businesses throughout Onset. One popular attraction was meeting Santa Claus at the Onset Fire Department. Winna Dean, who organized the meetings with Santa, said she has done so for more than 20 years at the fire department.

Dean said her favorite story from the day was a young girl saying she wanted to tell Santa to “ask the government to lower the driving age.”

“This is my first time meeting the real Santa,” said 7-year-old Clailynn Griffin, who asked him for an American Girl Doll.

Divito Realty also participated in the festivities for the first time, giving free toys to children. There was a talking Christmas tree in Dudley Brown Square, drawing many curious kids. Sinners & Saints Tattoo & Piercing had coffee and cookies donated by Dog Days Cafe. There, Miss South Coast, Megan Sylvia, took pictures with fans.

At The Pier View Restaurant, Onset Postmaster Robin Enos provided stickers, colored pencils and paper for kids to write their letters to Santa. Every child receives a reply to their house from Santa, Enos said. She usually receives up to 300 letters each Christmas with requests for Santa.

The event was organized by the Onset Bay Association and has around 300 people in attendance each year, said Kat Jones, president of the association. She said the event has grown and morphed over the last 20 years and that new businesses are always welcome to join in.

“It’s really all about the kids,” Jones said. “They get to be creative, see Santa and eat some sugar.”