Santa delights crowd in Ross Township
Erika Cooper, 6, and her sister, Valerie Cooper, 9, receive gifts from Santa and his helper, Tricia Bauer, a Ross Township park and recreation committee member, on Saturday. Santa arrived on a firetruck from Blue Ridge Hook and Ladder Company and then sang Christmas carols with the crowd gathered by the outside Christmas tree. STACI L. GOWER/SPECIAL TO THE TIMES NEWS
Santa Claus arrived at Ross Township Saturday afternoon on a firetruck — not a sled driven by reindeer.
Santa stepped down from the Blue Ridge Hook and Ladder’s firetruck and was met by an eager crowd of children and adults.
The tree in front of the township building was lit and the crowd sang a few Christmas carols.
Kasey Kurczeski, 3, was right by Santa for most of the songs, and loudly sang “Jingle Bells” with him.
To mark the festive occasion, some attendees wore Santa hats and headbands with reindeer antlers.
“Christmas is all about the kids. The holiday brings out the kid inside all of us,” said Bernie Kozen, executive director of West End Park and Open Space Commission.
After caroling, everyone went inside for photos with Santa, crafts, cookies and cocoa.
“For Christmas, I mostly want surprises and a karate uniform,” said 9-year-old Valerie Cooper.
Her sister, 6-year-old Erika Cooper, loves geology and is hoping to unwrap stones. This was their first year attending the township’s Christmas event with their mother, Mary Cooper.
In the back of the room, there was a long table where the kids could color gingerbread men and Christmas trees.
