COTTONWOOD FALLS — “Let’s make some magic, Chase County!” Deb Zeiner called out to the crowd gathered on Broadway Saturday night.
Parents, children and visitors steadily counted down: “10 ... 9 ... 8 ...” as they watched the Chase County Courthouse. As the count finished, the courthouse suddenly blazed into life, outlined in golden Christmas lights.
The crowd oohed and cheered and clapped. The season had begun.
“The first year I did this, I was told ‘Everyone goes “Awww” when the lights go on,’” said a smiling Zeiner, the head of Chase County’s chamber of commerce. “I said ‘Yeah, right.’ But they really do.”
Anyone who doubted how seriously Cottonwood Falls takes the holidays only had to watch Saturday. It was a busy day. Holiday home tours kept busy throughout the afternoon, with at least one line already having 25 to 30 people. Downtown merchants held open houses during the day and were well-rewarded for it.
“Business is three times better than it was last year,” said Phylis Rausch, the proprietor of Flint Hills Designs. “I’ve already looked at my books.”
For the kids, of course, the really important stuff started around 4:45 p.m. when a horse-drawn carriage brought Santa and Mrs. Claus to town.
“This is the first time she’s gotten to see Santa Claus down in Chase County,” said Lorie Graham of Strong City as she waited with her 4-year-old niece Katelynn outside the Prairie Coffee Co. “She’s been excited all day.”
“We told them it was a long way from the North Pole, so they have to work extra hard today to be good,” said Jacque Thompson from just outside Strong City as her 7-year-old son Garrett and 5-year-old daughter Kristeena peered through the store’s big glass window, trying to get a peek. In a stroller, 2-year-old McKinsey Thompson sat quietly as she and Mom moved up the line.
“It’s been non-stop since this morning about Santa,” Thompson added. “It really has.”
Inside, the old couple took one child after another onto their laps. Despite the sometime crowd, there was never a sense of being rushed.
“Santa, Caroline has reindeer on her dress!” Mrs. Claus said as she talked with 2-year-old Caroline Oldham of Collerville, Tenn., whose family was visiting relatives.
“So what do you want for Christmas, Caroline?” Santa asked. Caroline sat silent.
“Are you going to tell him anything?” asked her aunt, Taryn Ratcliff of Emporia.
Caroline nodded, then waited. “A baby doll,” she said, just barely audibly.
As the evening grew darker, stores lit the Christmas lights. High-school students sang Christmas carols. Pre-school children sang songs or shouted them or just stood and looked cute in their Santa hats. Friends talked and took pictures and enjoyed the pleasant day, still in the 60s.
No one could ask better.
“I do like to get out and see all the families and kids, always coming and having a good time,” said Mike Schmidt of Strong City. “It helps a guy get into the Christmas spirit, you know?”
campfire101 (anonymous) says...
What a refreshing and uplifting story. Makes your heart fill right up.
November 27, 2006 at 7:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )