By Melanie Lekocevic
Capital Region Independent Media
GREENVILLE — Santa and Mrs. Claus paid an early visit to Greenville on the day after Thanksgiving.
The Jolly Ol’ Elf arrived in town on a fire truck and joined Mrs. Claus on the gazebo at Veterans Memorial Park, greeting children on the way in for the Christmas tree lighting ceremony.
The tree lighting ceremony has been held each year on the day after Thanksgiving for many years, and is hosted by the Greenville Rotary Club.
“It’s nice to see everyone out and about,” Santa told the crowd from the gazebo. “I know it’s a little cold — let’s get the trees going here.”
Then with a hearty ho-ho-ho, everyone joined in a countdown before The Big Guy called out, “Light ‘em up.”
Then every tree in the park was lit up and everyone cheered.
With Santa leading the way, dozens of Santa’s fans filed into the Community Room at the Greenville Public Library.
On the way, Santa had some words of advice for his young fans.
“Stay in school, learn something, but have fun,” Santa said. “Stay out of trouble — that’s all we ask for.”
The Visit with Santa has in years past taken place inside neighboring Prevost Hall, but with the historic building being repaired and having structural problems, the decision was made to hold the event inside the library instead.
Rotarian Deb Smith was all smiles as she welcomed families.
“This brings everyone together,” Smith said of the event. “Look at the smiles and the cheeriness, and look at how beautifully everything is decorated. Just look at the children — how could you not want to do this every year?”
Smith thanked the town, Rotary Club and the volunteers for helping to make the annual tradition possible.
“I can’t thank everybody enough,” she said.
Children were able to visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus and let them know their Christmas wishes.
“He’s excited, and I’m really excited to be here,” said Michelle LoPresti after her son, Owen LoPresti, took his photo with the Clauses. “It’s very nice for the community to have something like this.”
Elizabeth Ayalew, a senior at Greenville High School, is a visiting exchange student from Ethiopia and a member of the school’s Interact Club – a Rotary program for high school students. Ayalew volunteered at the event and helped families line up for their photos and visits with Santa.
“Rotary is about giving service above self,” Ayalew said. “I am sponsored by Rotary, so I’m giving back to the community however I can.”
Ayalew is living with her host family in Greenville, the Ingalls, and took her photo with Santa, Mrs. Claus and the Ingalls’ children.
“This is awesome — it gets the community together and it shows Christmas spirit,” Jeanette Ingalls said.
After everyone had their photo with Santa and Mrs. Claus, raffle tickets were drawn. There were two grand prizes — one boys’ bike and one girls’ bike — along with several smaller prizes handed out.
But no one went home empty handed — each child received a small gift of their own.