Parade of Lights followed by Santa visit

Though the Bank of Malta's Santa Open House wasn't slated to begin until 6 p.m. last Monday night in Malta, parents and children were lined up down the block and visiting Saint Nick ahead of schedule and before the Parade of Lights could make its way through downtown.

Kim Hinkson, a six-year-old who moved to Malta from Texas a year ago, was one of the many children in line to visit Santa and while she waited, she pondered what she was going to ask for this Christmas.

"I am excited because I want to sit on his soft lap," she said. "Maybe I will ask for a new toy dinosaur."

Scarlett Marino, age...