Cups of hot chocolate and coffee warmed fingers in the chill air at the Coward community park Saturday evening as residents gathered to participate in the annual Christmas in the Park celebration.
Local band, The Faith Singers, performed in the park picnic area as children played on the swings, slides, seesaws and spinner.
It was a smaller crowd than in previous years said town council member Diane Thomas.
“Just so everybody enjoyed themselves,” she said. “Whether it’s ten or a hundred, just so they have a good time.”
In the past, the event has packed the park said the town mayor Lewis W. Pate.
“Normally we have a good crowd out here with the children and everything,” he said.
As the evening continued, more people arrived and a small crowd was on hand to greet Santa when he arrived.
Giving Rudolph and the other reindeer a rest, the South Lynches Fire Department gave Santa a ride to the park and, with lights flashing and sirens blaring, the children and adults alike, gathered around him as he stepped out of the fire truck.
Elizabeth Creel was one of those eager to meet Santa. The third grader whose mother said “she’s been extra good this year so Santa will come see her,” was ready and waiting for Santa.
When the sirens’ first notes were heard and she saw the fire truck coming down the street, Elizabeth announced Santa’s imminent arrival to her mother.
“I said, ‘no they’re probably just going to a fire,’” said Creel, “and she said, ‘no, it’s Santa Claus mommy, and I’ve been good mommy, I’ve been real good this year.’”
Shortly after Santa met with all the children, the celebrations went up in the air with a bang as the first of many fireworks burst overhead.
Once more children and adults were on the playground equipment; this time with eyes looking upward and focused on the brilliance of the fireworks against the inky black night sky.
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