Santa making early visit at Columbia-area mall

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Deputies in Richland County are helping to welcome Santa Claus to the Columbia area with a holiday parade.

Sheriff Leon Lott says Santa is saluting U.S. troops during an appearance at the Village at Sandhill on Saturday.

Organizers say the parade to welcome Santa serves as a kickoff for the holiday shopping season and includes participants from the Columbia Fire Department and Richland County Sheriff’s Department. Horse-mounted and K-9 officers are participating in the parade.

Officials from the American Red Cross are also on hand to collect holiday greeting cards to send to troops serving overseas. There is also a food drive to benefit Harvest Hope Food Bank.