Santa Claus handed out candy canes to attendees (including this boy wearing a BAH HUM BUG sweat shirt).

Angie Valetutto, of Arcata, and her daughter joined Santa and others in dancing to the music prior to the Snowball Drop

Santa joined these children in a reflective photo opportunity at the gazebo.

The Gumball Drop for children (a new event this year) featured colored ping-pong balls with age-appropriate prizes.

Volunteer and air-cannon maker Dean Kruschke fired off a round during the Gumball Drop (colored ping-pong balls) to awaiting children.

The Gumball Drop allowed just the children to compete (with varied techniques and successes) for the age-appropriate "snowballs" with related prizes.

Around 500 "snowballs" were shot over several rounds into the air above the large crowd.

A large crowd at the Old Town gazebo awaits another round of "snowballs" fired from an air cannon.

Scott Miller, of Eureka, checked out the "snowballs" gathered by his daughter Jennifer (left), his wife (not pictured) and grandchildren.

Santa dropped by the Eureka Visitor Center in the Clarke Mueum to say hello to employee Albert Brucca.

Santa wandered past the murals along Opera Alley to find more children looking for candy canes.

Daniel and Devany Klein, of McKinleyville, brought their youngest child to the Snowball Drop dressed in a cute outfit.

After the Snowball Drop event was over, Santa walked around Old Town passing out good cheer and candy canes.