SANTA comes to town
Civic Plaza transforms into winter wonderland
It may be another month until Christmas, but you couldn’t tell that from Civic Plaza Saturday evening.
The air was teeming with the sights and sounds of the season as Winterfest took over the Downtown plaza and brought hundreds to join in the festivities as the sun began to set over the Duke City.
The celebration held all the hallmarks of the holidays, from the tinsel strung along light poles and lifesize statues of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer to the sounds of “Santa Baby” and “Here Comes Santa Claus” echoing over the plaza.
Dozens of vendors offered local goods such as handmade soap, jewelry and wood-carved bears while others sold green chile stew, nachos and colorful popcorn. And for the adults who needed a little extra holiday cheer, an eggnog and beer garden was fully stocked.
At the base of a gigantic Christmas tree, gleeful children jumped on Santa’s lap and a line of parents and their kids stretched down the pavement.
The biggest draw looked — and sounded — like the Ice Qube skating rink, boasting a significantly longer line than the one to Santa Claus. It weaved and snaked far from the rink’s entrance.
Skating on the synthetic ice surface was free as long as you had your own skates, otherwise it was $3 to rent a pair.
Small kids clung to the railings of the rink, and each other, trying to keep balance while more experienced skaters glided around with ease.
Winterfest ended Saturday night but the rink will remain open to visitors Wednesdays through Sundays, noon to 8 p.m., until Dec. 30.