Santa stops by Alachua for Christmas festivities

CARL MCKINNEY/Alachua County Today

A child sits on Santa's lap as the Grinch closes in. The line to get into Theatre Park and see Santa spilled into the streets of downtown Alachua filled with parents and eager children.

ALACHUA – Moonlight glowed over the Christmas tree as the crowd gathered for the celebration.

For over a decade, the City of Alachua has marked the start of the season with their Christmas tree-lighting ceremony. This year, the festivities were held on Friday, Dec. 6 in the lot next to Bev's Burgers in downtown Alachua.

For many of the residents, it is a tradition that brings everyone together.

“I’m so proud to be able to work and live in a city that honors such a tradition,” said City Manager Traci Cain.

Cain and other members of the community gathered around the tree in the hour before the ceremony started at 6 p.m. Children played football in the lot, while residents and city officials gathered and talked with traditional Christmas songs playing in the background courtesy of a local music teacher.

Dustin Adams, music teacher at Alachua Elementary, volunteered to sing and play songs on his keyboard after the last three musical acts had to cancel, said Diana Felver, event planner for the city.

When Felver first moved to Alachua, every business and organization did their own Christmas celebration. The city’s event gives them a chance to all take part in the same ceremony, she said.

“It brings the community together,” she said.

Carolers from the United Methodist Church also lent their talents to the celebration, while costumed characters such as the Grinch made appearances to entertain the children.

“I just like seeing the joy on their faces,” Felver said as she talked about how she likes watching the youths enjoy the evening.

Around 6:15 p.m., City Manager Cain began her speech welcoming the community and introducing the city commissioners and Mayor Gib Coerper to the crowd.

As she spoke, police sirens could be heard in the distance.

Recreation director Hal Brady led the crowd to the tree to begin the countdown. The police sirens grew closer.

When the countdown hit zero, the Christmas tree came to life with lights, as the sirens nearly arrived at the lot.

Police pulled up after clearing the way for a horse-drawn carriage carrying a special guest.

Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus arrived to greet the children.

“It was very cold coming through Canada,” Santa said.

The carriage went on its way to Theatre Park where the young event-goers could sit on his lap.

Youngsters waited in line to spend a moment with Santa and tell him what they want for the holiday. As they left, they were awarded a box with a toy in it.

They took their prize with smiles on their faces as they walked, skipped and ran out of the theatre with their parents, talking about what's coming for Christmas this year.

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