Here comes Santa Claus right down W. Front St. Tree-lighting ceremony, Santa's Workshop event in Keyport Saturday BY KAREN E. BOWES Staff Writer Keyport businessman Ed Burlew (l) supervises while Ray Casanova (center) and Bruce Craig (r) place the borough Christmas tree at the mini park on West Front Street Thursday. This year's tree was donated by Dick Currier, a Keyport business owner. KEYPORT - There's an old saying: Behind every great man is a woman. Nobody knows this better than Mrs. Claus. On Saturday, Santa's wife will set up camp in Keyport, kicking off the holiday season with Santa's Workshop, a Christmas-themed event for young children. Starting at 10 a.m., Mrs. Claus will host four one-hour workshops, reading Christmas stories and leading children in holiday craft projects. For $10, children will have their pictures taken, munch on cookies and mingle with elves and Frosty the Snowman. Santa's Workshop is sponsored by the Keyport Business Alliance. Carol Avella is coordinating the event. "What we think is great is that when every child signs up for a workshop, we send two letters - one to the child from Santa saying how excited he is they're coming, and one to the parents," Avella said. PHOTOS BY JEFF GRANIT staff Keyport Councilman George Walling pinches the nose of Frosty the Snowman (KBA member Ed Burlew) inside Santa's Workshop on West Front Street. The children's event will be open for one day only, Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The letter to the parents states that while they are welcome to stay and enjoy the workshop too, it is not required that they attend. The letter also mentions there will be a children's Christmas parade later that same day, at 5 p.m. The workshop is being held in the empty storefront at 43 W. Front St., a former shoe store. The KBA events committee worked quickly to transform the space from last month's Haunted Halloween Harbor House into this weekend's Christmas workshop. Avella pointed out a Christmas tree, decorated with wrapping paper, glitter and plenty of tinsel. "This will be a giving tree," she said. "In that same letter to the parents inviting them to lead Santa in the parade, we invite them to bring a gift," Avella said, adding the gifts will later be distributed to needy families in Keyport and Union Beach. And while Mrs. Claus conducts the workshops, her husband will be busy preparing for his personal appearance that same evening. At 5 p.m., a Christmas parade will commence from Central School on Broadway. Children are invited to participate in the parade, which will end just next door to Santa's Workshop at the borough's downtown minipark and gazebo, West Front Street There, borough officials will oversee the tree lighting ceremony. Two children's choirs will sing carols, and Santa will arrive in grand style at the end of the parade. Tickets for Santa's Workshop are limited to the first 30 children per session. Advance tickets are available at the In Zone clothing store located at 41 W. Front St. Tickets can also be bought on the day of the event.