There was the train conductor, the elf and a reindeer — but the star of the evening was Santa for the free annual Lakeland Christmas Festival tonight (12.6.19) at IH Clubhouse.
Santa arrived with sirens blaring and blue lights flashing in a Shelby County Sheriff’s Office deputy car to the squeals and cheers of throngs of children and parents. After Santa visited with the children, he went to the enormous Christmas tree, did a countdown and on came the lights.
Link to Google album: https://photos.app.goo.gl/JGDxtisxAhjwqEj3A
Polar Bear Express was the theme as children arrived in their pajamas to wait their turn to speak to St. Nick in a room filled with lights and toys and a miniature train traveling on the tracks. The reindeer (Barbara Taylor) gave each child a ticket and the conductor (Harold Ricketts), punched the ticket for admission to see Santa.
The elf (Jackie Schwab with Lakeland Public Works) handed out refreshments at the Hot Chocolate Station along with Kevin Rooney, director of Lakeland Parks and Recreation Department, and Shane Horn, city manager. Public Works Department Staff were costumed and helped direct traffic. Keep Tennessee Beautiful brought the hot chocolate mix with the Lakeland Starbucks providing hot water, cups and lids.
Organized by Kim Odom, special events coordinator for Lakeland, the Festival included Mr. Balloon Man, crafts and letter-writing to Santa.
The weather was a perfect, pre-Christmas evening with temps in the low 50s and not a hint of rain.
… Photos by Jim Willis, Lakeland Currents
