Since the establishment of the Farm Friends Barn in Becker five years ago, Santa has made it a priority stop when he is in the area scouting for potential rest stops. 

After all, he needs the loft in the barn to rest his reindeer, the feed in the grain bins for animal nourishment, and Mrs. Claus seems to enjoy the decorations and tasty treats that always accompany the festive atmosphere.

It was a familiar scene this year at the event, as volunteers Butch Woolhouse and Fred Graning tended to the fire outside and helped organize the eager attendees who waited in line for the ever popular horse drawn wagon rides courtesy of Nutrien Ag Solutions and RJ Stables.  

Inside, Mary Jo Cobb tended to the cookies and hot cocoa in the barn.  Jean Johnson supervised and ensured everything ran smoothly as the kids and families lined up to submit their present requests to Santa and Mrs. Claus inside the meticulously decorated barn which featured trees from B&J Evergreen.

Other sponsors included Becker True Value, Arnold’s of St. Cloud, Wruck Companies, and Structural Buildings.

Santa confirmed to this reporter that he plans to make Becker a stop on his 2026 scouting itinerary, and he even noted that many of the presents most commonly requested by children this year can not only be built at the North Pole, but can also be found by shopping locally.