SANTA IS COMING TO TOWN
Our warmest, most heartfelt memories of youth surround home and hearth at Christmas. Especially true of many of our St. Marys natives who share Christmas stories of long ago with their children and grandchildren today. Let me take you back in time; thirty years, forty years, further fifty years past. Warm reminiscent of Santa rolling into town waving joyfully to the rosy-cheeked children watching as the Jolly Old Elf arrived on the scene aboard the railroad or on a John Deere loaded with stockings full of toys for the good little girls and boys.
Native born, Alton Dixon shares those memories from the seventies with his Mother, who recalls the tradition in her youth as well. What could possibly be more joyous than the face of a child receiving a Christmas stocking from Santa? Alton and his wife, Wendy are bringing this wonderful holiday tradition, truly their labor of love, back for the children of St. Marys.
Christmas in the Park, held at the St. Marys Waterfront Park, will be celebrated December 15 from 11:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. a full day of excitement. The fun-filled family event will have the park decked for Christmas and ready for Santa’s arrival. Dixon says of this tremendous effort, “we are happy to bring this fun, family oriented event back in 2007.” Christmas in the Park will only be possible with the assistance of volunteers, who in the true spirit of Christmas donate their resources, time and energy to make Christmas special in our community.
The festivities begin with the annual "Search for the Yule Log" contest. Held downtown St. Marys, the walking scavenger hunt will begin at the St. Marys Welcome Center where the clues will be given to find the two hidden Yule Logs having a grand prize of $100 each. Immediately following the contest Santa Claus is Coming to Town! on the Toonerville Trolley. Santa will arrive with 1000 stockings stuffed to the top with toys and goodies for the kids.
All of the events are free of charge (the donation of a new toy for a needy Camden County girl or boy would be appreciated)
Visit the website www.christmasinthepark.us for details of the wonderful events or sign-up for the fun filled contests including “The Best Ginger Bread House” adult and kids divisions, “Holiday Cheer Meister” for the county’s ugliest Christmas sweater and the “Clark Griswald” contest for the best Christmas light display (registration for this contest ends December 5th). Community volunteers and sponsors are needed to raise funds to bring back this well-loved holiday tradition.
For more information contact: Alton and Wendy Dixon at (912) 882-1718 day or (912) 882-3520 evenings.
