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City, sheriff’s office team up for Holiday in the Park

By LIANE SMITH (Contact)

Saturday, December 2, 2006

"Here comes Santa Claus, Here comes Santa Claus, right down..."

Old 41 Road on Tuesday, Dec. 5, for the city of Bonita Springs free annual event: Holiday in the Park and Tree Lighting Ceremony.

This year's event is rumored to be grander than ever, with more lights than ever before, more snow than ever before, a bigger tree than ever before, and more toys than ever before, as the Lee County Sheriff's Office teams up with the city and Mr. Claus to hand out a toy to every child who comes.

In the past, Santa has pulled into Riverside Park by a horse drawn sleigh, but this year he will be escorted by The Bonita Springs Fire Department, Car-1, and other emergency personnel. The sheriff's office, which usually does its own parade, teamed up with the city to combine events. They will provide a toy for each child who visits with Santa Claus.

According to special events committee chair Michel Wilk, hundreds of children line up for Santa Claus and free snow before the event begins.

"There's just a line of kids," Wilk said. "It's hard to keep them away."

And for parents, picture packages will be available.

The sixth annual Holiday in the Park will kick off at 5 p.m., with old-fashioned family fun in the form of free apple cider and Christmas cookies, free train rides and face-painting, snow to play in and more.

Master of ceremonies, Jim Syoen of NBC 2, will introduce music performances by the Bonita Village Band, the Bonita Springs Community Chorus, the Bonita Springs Middle School Band and the Estero High School Marching Band beginning at 5 p.m.

At 5:45 p.m., Santa Claus is scheduled to arrive, and at 6 p.m., the annual tree lighting will commence with a holiday message from Mayor Jay Arend.

"The park is so beautiful when it is decorated up like that," Arend said.

Last year, the city decorated a 15-foot tree, but as the event has grown, it has upgraded to a 20-foot Christmas tree.

Regardless of weather conditions, there will be 20 tons of snow this year, instead of the usual 14 tons, so children are cautioned to bring hats and gloves, and wear long pants.

"It gets cold, and kids will start throwing snowballs," Wilk said. "It happens every year."

Last year, the snow machine broke down and to prevent another short-lived snow fest, the city has the snow supplier bringing two snow machines this year.

Other than the mishap with the snow machine, last year's event, which brought about 4,000 people to Riverside Park, went off without a hitch.

"Everybody was pretty pleased with what they saw last year," Arend said. "And, it's even better this year. It gets everybody in the spirit of Christmas."

In addition, area vendors and organizations will set up booths for the event, which ends at 8 p.m.

For more information, contact 949-6262.