Ol’ Saint Nick has been busy over the past few weeks in Riverbank, with stops in several locations around town. He’ll also be back this weekend, stopping at Petco in the Crossroads on Saturday to pose with pets to benefit the local animal shelter.

Just over the past weekend, meanwhile, the jolly old elf could be seen in different spots, helping youngsters and oldsters alike celebrate the holiday season.

On Saturday, he first visited Applebee’s Neighborhood Bar and Grill, where supporters of the local Relay For Life fundraiser were enjoying breakfast.

Later that morning, he could be found at Vena’s Secrets Salon, at a Christmas Faire downtown, talking with young folks and helping collect food donations for the Shop with a Cop program.

Later, he was at Petco, where folks could get their pet’s picture taken with him. Santa is scheduled to return to the pet store again for more photo ‘ops.’

Capture the moment with your furry little four-legged love bundles this Christmas season in a photo opportunity with Santa at Petco on Saturday, Dec. 17 from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. For the small fee of $9.95 the Oakdale Shelter Pet Alliance (OSPA) will provide a framed photo to take home that day. The OSPA will host the “Photo with Santa” event on Saturday and all proceeds will benefit the homeless pets of the Oakdale and Riverbank communities. All dogs must be on a leash and cats must be in a carrier or on a leash.

The latest batch of Santa stops wasn’t the first in the City of Action for the season. He was also busy in the area previously, having been a featured guest in the Riverbank Christmas Parade on Nov. 26, and, along with Mrs. Claus, helped light the Community Christmas Tree that evening, before listening to the requests of local youngsters concerning what gifts they might wish to receive on the coming holiday.