Kids get prizes, a bit of coal
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Dozens of children sat on Santa Clause’s lap during the Christmas Carnival put on by the St. Ignatius Chamber of Commerce on Saturday.
Santa said this year kids are asking for things like video games and stuffed animals. The St. Ignatius Library helped bring him to the event.
Businesses and individuals set up activities of all kinds at the community center including fishing for a prize, a cakewalk, a beanbag toss, and if you didn’t get a ping-pong ball into a cup, you still got a prize.
“We have coal if anyone wants it,” said JP Thomas, Cornerstone Faith Center pastor. He said coal was something Santa might bring to a person that made the naughty list but he was giving it out for fun.
Ariana McCaughan, 5, quickly practiced shooting at a target with a little dart for a prize at one of the stations. She said she was in a hurry so she could go get in line to see Santa.
Dalton Carey, 6, sat motionless while his nose was painted red at the face painting station. He said he liked looking like Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, although the nose was a bit itchy.
Darren Orr, one of the event organizers, said businesses in Lake County donated a total of about $3,000 to the 11th annual carnival so that each kid could go home with a gift. Adults were also give prizes.
“This is our way of giving back to the community,” he said as a spokesperson for businesses. “We had a lot going on this weekend in town with a play and basketball game, and we still had a great turnout.”
After the carnival, people gathered to light the community Christmas tree and enjoy a bowl of free chili plus hot drinks and cookies. The parade of lights circled the town with half a dozen floats and people singing. holiday songs.
