A familiar jump of excitement rippled through the crowd lining Ridge Road. Everybody heard that first siren as flashing lights came into view. The parade was coming! Santa was coming! The magic is still there; it never gets old, it tickles your heart no matter the number of Christmases you’ve had.
A few minutes earlier… Al Hartman was the first to stake his claim to prime viewing area on The Green. Al said, “I’m here holding down the fort. It’s windier than I expected, so I really have to hold it down. There are nine of us, they are over at the chocolate hut getting hot chocolate. I brought an umbrella just in-case, but I’m hoping we won’t need it. It’s so small.” Just up the rise behind the Hartman seats was the Santa Hut where all the kids from the small to the tall could talk to Santa and tell him their wishes. Mrs. Claus was inside along with one helper. Mrs. Claus complimented the North Royalton Holiday Lighting Committee, “They do such a good job year after year, and the North Royalton Garden Club decorates beautifully. The temperatures were below 32º and really windy,” Mrs. Claus continued. “It’s so beautiful when Santa comes to listen to the kids.”
The elf helper thanked the Key Club members (Jaiden Neffenger, Deekski-Iha Sminathan, Dexter Wu, Jack Masters, Janah Penetrante, Solomia Proniv, Francesca DiNucci, Dariia Karavaeva) for their help decorating the Santa House and the Chocolate House on the City Green. These students came out on a freezing Sunday afternoon and made the task go much faster.
The first youngster waited for Santa in the doorway. Kendia Lawrence waited patiently while her mom, Tina, went for Hot Chocolate as reinforcement against the cold. “I wanted to be the first one,” Kendia said. Her mom added, “We’ve been waiting here since 3:20 p.m. That’s a long time to wait.” Kendia added, “But I got to talk to the mayor. He was nice.” Later when Mayor Larry was asked about the conversation he said, “Yes I talked to her, very nice young lady.” Nathan Tagliarini had no trouble keeping warm as he jogged in place. His mom, Katelyn, showed the jacket she was holding, “ I just don’t know how he keeps so warm. It’s windy-cold here.” The Horvath Family, John and Erin with Hallie 8, Everett 6, Brynn 3, and Max 3 months, also waited for Santa, but first they wanted to see him on the caboose of the Fire Truck. They were not disappointed because he stopped almost in front of them. A fireman helped Santa get safely down from his perch on the fire truck rescue aerial bucket. Santa greeted many admirers as he went to the little house where Kendia had been waiting. Once safely inside, everyone’s attention turned to the gazebo.
Music was being played but the decorations were dark, just waiting for the Mayor to flip the switch. With a cheerful “May I have your attention please!” The attending crowd turned to the gazebo. Mayor Larry Antoskiewicz thanked all the Council members and the many people who volunteer to help, and the angels who kept the rain away. He then invited any youngster who wanted to be in the gazebo to come on up for the grand lighting. With the gazebo still dressed in darkness, Mayor Larry handed the microphone over to Demi Ghobryal; Junior Miss America Beauty and Grace. She counted down from ten; everyone joined in… five, four, three, two, One! After a few seconds delay the Community Green was bathed in the glow of multicolored lights. Santa, a candle, a skater, a snowman, were outlined in lights against the darkening sky. The Gazebo turned once again into a jewel box twinkling with hundreds of little white lights. The NRHS Drumline performed for the crowd as dozens of visitors greeted friends with smiles and good cheer.
Thank you to the parade participants; Mayor Antoskiewicz, North Royalton Police and Color Guard, North Royalton Fire Department, City Council, NRHS Drumline, Royalaires, and Royalettes, Royalton Recorder, The YMCA Adventure Guides and Princesses, and, of course, Santa, and the many people who work year-round to make this holiday tradition a delight for the community.
By LINDA KWARCIANY
Contributing Writer
