The story of inflatable Santas and how they’ve blown up in one N.S. neighbourhood

A Halifax-area community is attracting visitors from all over the city as they've put up more than 100 inflatable Santas in their front yards to raise money for Feed Nova Scotia.

Christmas may still be weeks away, but Santa Claus has arrived early in a Cole Harbour neighbourhood this year — in more ways than one.

If you drive into Colby Village, a subdivision in the Halifax-area community, you’ll instantly be greeted by an array of inflatable, waving Santa Clauses that are standing side by side from one front lawn to the next.

Meagan Cole, a participating resident who described the charity-driven project as a “group effort,” said the community-minded nature of her neighbourhood made everyone want to get involved.

“What started as about 20, 30 of us quickly snowballed into about 50,” she said, adding that any residents who were initially hesitant got involved after seeing the smiles it was bringing to the faces of everyone, both young and old, visiting the area.

Cole said the enormous blow-up Santas took on a greater meaning after a friend suggested they attach a charitable cause to their festive display.

Since then, the community has been able to direct this newfound interest in their neighbourhood toward a good cause — as volunteers are now stationed at the community’s entrance to collect donations for Feed Nova Scotia.

Many houses are also displaying signs on their front lawn featuring QR codes that direct visitors to the charity’s website.

“When I checked earlier today (Wednesday), we were at $6,250 for Feed Nova Scotia,” Cole smiled, admitting that the amount surprised her when she was initially presented with the numbers, as the donations have been skyrocketing since they reached their first $500.