Father Christmas rides in to Onaway

by Peter Jakey – Managing Editor

The siren sounded and the lights flashed on an Onaway Fire Department truck as the vehicle pulled alongside the walkway to the Chandler Park pavilion to let Santa Claus off.

?Ho! Ho! Ho! Merry Christmas, everybody!? he called out, his voice cheerfully carrying over the fire truck engine. ?Merry Christmas! How are you?? he shouted out to the young people bundled up their noses. ?Boy! Look at all of you!?

Young parents and their children, along with members of the community gathered at the park for the annual tree lighting celebration to officially kick off the Christmas season in the Sturgeon Capital.

Santa received warm greetings from folks as he walked up the hill to flip the switch that turns on the juice for the memorial Christmas trees that line the walkways of the park. ?Hey, how are you?? Santa asked one person. ?Good,? the young fellow enthusiastically said.

?Oh my goodness, have you been waiting on me?? Mr. Kringle asked the young lad. ?Yeah,? he responded.

BERNIE SCHMELTZER, representing the Onaway Area Chamber of Commerce and the city, welcomed the honored guest. ?Lead the way and pull the switch,? said Schmeltzer.

?Can everybody count with Santa?? Santa called out. ?Let?s do this count to three, okay. One ? two ? three. Merry Christmas!? ?Whoo,? the crowd reacted. Horns honked from those who wanted to stay in t

heir warm vehicles.

People then split up into groups. Some went to look at the trees and decorations, while Santa welcomed children of the community to sit on his lap and tell him what they wanted for Christmas. Others enjoyed hot chocolate compliments of Tom’s Family Market.

Grace Henning, 10, gave Santa a list. ?It has a few toys on it and something I need for my books,? she said. ?I need a new book shelf.?

Henning doesn?t miss Santa?s annual visit. ?It?s wonderful. I do it every year and it is awesome,? she said. The line to see Santa extended to just outside of the pavilion.

There are 50 Christmas trees in the park this year with only three having to be sponsored by the Chamber office.

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