ASHTABULA TOWNSHIP — Elizabeth Wick, 6, of Jefferson, wanted a doll house.
Four-year-old Zachary Burnheimer of North Kingsville asked for a dinosaur.
Ashtabula resident Allison Mann, 8, said she would like a Nintendo game.
Amid more than 50 children singing, “Jingle Bells,” a 100 or more grinning parents and grandparents, and a handful of cheering elves, Santa Claus arrived at exactly 12:25 p.m. Saturday in the Center Court at Ashtabula Towne Square.
“This is the third year Ken Johnson and a staff of volunteers put together an amazing theatrical performance for the official arrival of Santa and the holiday season,” said Michelle Lefkowitz, marketing director at Ashtabula Towne Square. “What a great turnout!”
The Star Beacon sponsored the show, which began with “North Pole News,” congratulating Northeast Box of Ashtabula for it custom-made props, and announcing the emergence of the “humbug blues.” The children in the audience laughed when Squidward from Sponge Bob was named as one of the victims of the disease.
Santa’s Secret Service — Ninja elves — then appeared out of the cardboard Christmas trees on the stage.
The elves roused the children to sing, “Santa Claus is Coming to Town,” complete with motions, until Mistletoe Elf fell ill with the “humbug blues.” The crowd learned if something wasn’t done soon, Mistletoe would be forced to move to Los Angeles and be a guest on a reality TV show.
To help Mistletoe, all of the children helped decorate the Christmas tree and, in turn, the elves gave them a bag of candy.
Five rounds of “Jingle Bells” later, and the fireplace started smoking — out jumped the jolly old elf, much to the delight of all the children.
Santa shook hands with many of the children and then took his seat of honor in Ashtabula Towne Square’s woodland setting filled with trees, animated animal friends and snow, an exhibit based on Carl R. Sams and Jean Stoick’s best selling book and movie, “Stranger in the Woods.”
“This is wonderful,” Amanda Burnheimer of North Kingsville said, as she waited in line with her two children to see Santa.
Local News
Related Photos
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MICHAEL STEMPLE JR., 5 months, of Sheffield Township is right at home on Santa's lap Saturday during the Kingsville Library Craft Fair and Santa event at the Simak Welcome Center in Kingsville. Alma McConnell-Page of North Kingsville is Mrs. Claus and Larry Meier of Plymouth Township is Santa Claus. BILL WEST
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Santa hits mall to delight young of all ages
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