“We probably should have started planning this thing two months ago,” said Mayor Chris Peck. “I think it was a big success last year, and I want it to be one this year as well.”
Council member Evelyn Power offered suggestions on the celebration.
“I think we should simplify things, basically because children have short attention spans and they come specifically to see Santa,” she said. “So I was thinking we should have some light refreshments, maybe some hot chocolate and a pot of coffee, and just have a small thing here in the Depot.”
Peck said he “didn’t have any problems with the way things went last year.”
Councilman Roger Fortson said some in the community are looking forward to the possibility of growing the event even bigger.
“I was actually approached by another citizen that asked if we would be interested in making it bigger, with vendors coming in to sell food and things like that,” he said.
Ellyn Trinrud expressed her thoughts towards the issue.
“I think the feedback from last year’s event was really positive, so if it gets rolled back to nothing it would be really sad,” she said.
Trinrud explained ways in which she believed the city could utilize its surroundings with help from the community, to create a memorable event.
“We could have an old-fashioned Christmas, which might be really sweet using these old buildings,” said Trinrud. “Like having Santa in the old log cabin and having a youth group or members of the Lions Club to dress up as elves in the old library.”
John Waggoner offered thoughts on the idea of a Lions Club elf.
“They’re too old and ugly to be elves,” he said. “And I can say that because I’m one of them.”
Setting the date of the event to take place on Friday, Dec. 10, between 5 and 8 p.m., Mayor Peck encouraged anyone and everyone to help out in any way they could.
“We’re going to need as many people as we can get to help out with this,” said Peck. “So if you or anyone you know in the community wants to volunteer and help, they can meet here next Tuesday, Nov. 9, at seven o’clock.”
