Hundreds of people filled the street next to the Freeman House in Snowflake on Nov. 30 as kids waited anxiously for the Christmas tree to be lit and Santa to arrive on the trusty old fire truck. As Mayor Lynn Johnson, joined by the crowd, began the count down from 10, the tree lit upon one.
Shortly after the tree was lit, sirens and lights filled the air as the Taylor-Snowflake Fire Department made a grand entrance with their fire trucks, escorting Santa to his special seat in the historic Freeman home, where the line of children with their parents stretched nearly to the end of the block.
With Santa, Mrs. Claus and their two elves happily listening to the wishes of the children and handing out the Santa bags that had been filled by the Snowflake-Taylor Chamber of Commerce, other folks gathered outside to watch the entertainers, while sipping on hot cocoa and eating cookies.
Dillynn Foster, a six-year-old from Snowflake, said she was hoping for some Hatchimals, while her two-year-old brother Brodie said he wanted lots of toys this Christmas. Their cousin, Ivey Miller, another two-year-old from Snowflake, told Santa she just wanted a kitchen toy.
Meanwhile across the street at the Snowflake Social Hall nearly 200 nativities were displayed for people to enjoy. Some of the nativities were from around the world, collected by people from the local area who love to travel.
The tradition of displaying the nativities in Snowflake goes back at least 20 years and has become a very popular event as families lined up to see the displays.
Among those families waiting to see the nativities, were a sister and brother, Sydney and Colt Gerber, both students in the Snowflake Unified School District.
Sydney said her favorite thing about Christmas was the stockings, “because you get a lot of stuff in your stocking.” Secretly, Sydney is hoping for LOL Surprise for Christmas.
Her younger brother, Colt, who is in kindergarten, said the best thing about school is eating lunch and that he really wants Lego’s for Christmas.
While the festivities ended by 8 p.m., the 12 days of Christmas are just beginning in Snowflake as the month of December is packed with concerts, plays and events that will make even a Grinch want to celebrate.
