A crisp yet sunny afternoon saw early visitors head to the one-two combination of CandyLand, a life-size version of the board game at the Clark County Public Library’s main branch, and SantaLand to visit Santa Claus at the Heritage Center of Clark County.
Library public relations manager Allison Peck was surprised by how busy it got, but pleased for the event, in its second year, and similar long lines were reported at SantaLand.
PHOTOS: Holiday in the City 2019
Much of the activity this year centered around the city’s community Christmas tree where WHIO-TV and Springfield News-Sun reporter Jenna Lawson hosted and Derek Snowden spinned holiday classics.
War was declared on City Hall Plaza where several area organizations and businesses tried to collect the most donations to contribute to the Springfield Salvation Army during its first Kettle Wars event, officially sponsored by Aunt Millie’s.
It became one of the photo hot spots as “Star Wars” characters Chewbacca and Darth Vader, accompanied by his own stormtrooper, fit the wars theme and mingled with more traditional seasonal characters such as Olaf from “Frozen,” Frosty the Snowman and Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer.
“We really didn’t know what to expect but it was a lot of fun. People really seemed to enjoy it and it was good public relations for our campaign,” Springfield Salvation Army development director Ryan Ray said.
Kettle Wars raised more than $3,000 overall. LWS Tax & Accounting Service was the first-place finisher, raising $607 and earned a Star Wars-themed trophy. First Diversity Staffing placed second and Emmanuel Christian Academy was third.
“Red kettles bring hope and love to those who need it,” Ray appreciatively told the crowd and said Kettle Wars would be renewed at Holiday in the City in 2020.
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Springfield High School football coach Maurice Douglass admitted he’d have preferred to have been in another place – Canton to be exact, playing for the state football championship on Saturday, but this was a nice alternative. A state final four appearance merited the Wildcats VIP treatment as hometown heroes as navy and gold were the dominant colors as the players mingled with the crowd.
“We’re happy for the kids and for the city, it was a great opportunity,” Douglass said. “This has been something special, a very special year.”
As the sun fell, not only did the many holiday lights add to the evening’s ambiance, it was accentuated by the AuroraMax Light Show, put together by the Now Device. Three locations shined images with holiday themes and some with synched music, most notably on the face of the Heritage Center.
Santa Claus led the grand illumination of the community tree, which proved a magnet for selfies and pictures.
Cassandra Dolly, her children Everly and Morrigan and Jeff and Michelle Will staked out their place across the street from the stage early to catch all the action.
Dolly missed last year’s Holiday in the City, but was excited to bring Everly, age 3, for the first time.
The girls’ favorite part of the festivities was the popcorn and cookies they munched awaiting Santa and other attractions.
Holiday in the City also caught the attention of Edwin Barrientos and Jaime Trejo, in from Florence, Ky. for an event. They awaited the tree lighting and wanted to be part of the seasonal fun before their part in a wrestling event elsewhere.
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