LA GRANDE — Santa Mall, one of La Grande’s most popular Christmas season events, has a new home.

The east auxiliary gym in Eastern Oregon University’s Quinn Coliseum will be the new site of Santa Mall, which will be open from 1-6 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 15, and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m on Saturday, Dec. 16.

This marks the first time in the 28-year history of Santa Mall that the event, which provides children with the chance to buy Christmas gifts for family members, will be at Quinn Coliseum. It was held at the Blue Mountain Conference Center its first 17 years and then was split between Riveria and the Blue Mountain Conference Center the past 11 years, according to Santa Mall Director Dawn Hayes.

The new location will provide the same amount of space Santa Mall had at Riveria but will pose fewer logistical issues. Hayes said at Riviera during Santa Mall she was responsible for maintaining the building’s heat and keeping its entrance clear of snow. At Quinn Coliseum, EOU will be responsible for both.

A helping hand

The event is open to the public but its main focus is on giving all children, including those from lower income families, the chance to buy gifts for family members.

Children coming to the event will receive Santa Bucks to use as currency to purchase items from the vendors — if they signed up for them and their family qualified. The vendors are reimbursed for the Santa Bucks they turn in.

The Santa Mall program provided about $10,000 in money for Santa Bucks in 2022 and Hayes said she is hopeful that a higher total can be provided this year. The money is raised from sponsors, individual donations and this year’s vendor fees.

Five hundred children received Santa Bucks in 2022. Hayes hopes the total may be higher this year.

Items at the Santa Mall will again include toys, clothing, crafts, blankets, homemade goods, home decor items, jewelry, candles and baked goods.

Those coming to Santa Mall will also be able to pick up free children’s books provided by Union County’s Mountain Valleys Reading Council.

Hayes said the Santa Mall is also a good place for adults and children whose families do not qualify for Santa Bucks, to do their Christmas shopping.

“There are wonderful shopping opportunities for everybody,” she said.

This year’s Santa Mall will again be conducted in memory of Shelia Evans, one of the event’s most dedicated volunteers. Evans died in 2021 at age 52 of natural causes.

Hayes said Evans’ commitment and passion for Santa Mall was unforgettable .

“Her face was the face of Santa Mall,” she said.

Santa Mall

Openings for vendors are still available. Those interested in serving as vendors should send an email to hayesd84@gmail.com.

Santa Bucks are now available for children. To learn how families can obtain Santa Bucks, call 541-805-0007.