Santa Claus reads "'Twas the Night Before Christmas” at a previous North Pole Stroll event. Kris Kringle is expected to make another visit Saturday.

He’s making a list and checking it twice, but before he makes the final determination in who’s been naughty or nice, Santa Claus is taking a break Saturday and enjoying a storytime visit at the North Pole Stroll.

The visit is part of an afternoon filled with activities, organized by the Athens-Limestone County Tourism Association. Director Teresa Todd said it’s all part of the plan to grow the North Pole Stroll.

“We’re trying to grow in baby steps, so we can make sure we get everything done well,” Todd said.

While families can visit the North Pole Stroll any time at Athens’ Big Spring Park, Saturday’s fun begins at 2 p.m. with ornament decorating sponsored by Sun Loans and cookie decorating sponsored by Optimist Club. Each of the activities will be in the downstairs meeting room of the tourism office on North Beaty Street in Athens.

Representatives from Innovative Realty will also be there to help kids write letters to Santa.

“They have a mailbox beside their tree where kids can drop their letter right in,” Todd said, referring to the decorated Christmas tree Innovate Realty contributed to North Pole Stroll. “There’s even some sample letters, where all they have to do is fill their name in and what they want, then drop it right in the mailbox.”

From 5 to 7 p.m., children can take a ride on the Athens Lions Club train, another first for the North Pole Stroll. And of course, the jolly old elf himself will make an appearance during that time to visit with the kids and read “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas” inside the tourism office.

Todd said the idea for an expanded visit came from Andrea Turner, who has worked with the tourism office for about a year. She believes every town should have something similar to “bring that little bit extra to their community.”