Parks Dept. Starts Christmas Activities

November 22, 2016 at 9:00 p.m.


Snow on Saturday hinted at the winter to come, but the Warsaw Parks & Recreation Department started its Christmas activities early last week.
“Letters from Santa” began Nov. 14 and will continue through 4 p.m. Dec. 12, according to Recreation Director Sheila Wieringa. The cost is $2 per letter.
“The children will receive a personalized letter back from Santa, based on information provided,” she said.
The forms are under “Holiday Events” on the Parks Department’s website at warsaw.in.gov/index.aspx?nid=192, or may be picked up at the office at 117 E. Canal St., Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Parks Department employees have already set up Central Park for the holiday light display. The displays will be lit during First Friday, Dec. 2, during Light Up the Night, from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. It is a free event.
“Santa and Mrs. Claus will be riding in the Twinkle Parade from First Friday again,” Wieringa said, “and they will end up down here at the park by 7:30 to visit with children.”
Park staff and volunteers will hand out glow necklaces while supplies last.
Elementary school students will provide a short Christmas concert.
Wieringa said the light display will be lit nightly after Dec. 2, with the last night being New Year’s Eve, Dec. 31.
There are over 200,000 lights in the display. New this year are a 20-foot Christmas tree in front of Glover Pavilion, a set of elves shooting packages out of a cannon and Santa Claus driving a train.
The light display started in 1997 when N. Bruce Jr. and Anne Howe donated their Christmas display. The Parks Department got additional donations that year to complement the Howes’ gift.
The display is funded through donations and a concessions trailer run by volunteers.
Christmas Countdown will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 9. It is another free event at Center Lake Pavilion.
The event will have crafts, hot chocolate, cookies, music and games, Wiering said. She suggested bringing a camera for pictures with Santa.

Snow on Saturday hinted at the winter to come, but the Warsaw Parks & Recreation Department started its Christmas activities early last week.
“Letters from Santa” began Nov. 14 and will continue through 4 p.m. Dec. 12, according to Recreation Director Sheila Wieringa. The cost is $2 per letter.
“The children will receive a personalized letter back from Santa, based on information provided,” she said.
The forms are under “Holiday Events” on the Parks Department’s website at warsaw.in.gov/index.aspx?nid=192, or may be picked up at the office at 117 E. Canal St., Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Parks Department employees have already set up Central Park for the holiday light display. The displays will be lit during First Friday, Dec. 2, during Light Up the Night, from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. It is a free event.
“Santa and Mrs. Claus will be riding in the Twinkle Parade from First Friday again,” Wieringa said, “and they will end up down here at the park by 7:30 to visit with children.”
Park staff and volunteers will hand out glow necklaces while supplies last.
Elementary school students will provide a short Christmas concert.
Wieringa said the light display will be lit nightly after Dec. 2, with the last night being New Year’s Eve, Dec. 31.
There are over 200,000 lights in the display. New this year are a 20-foot Christmas tree in front of Glover Pavilion, a set of elves shooting packages out of a cannon and Santa Claus driving a train.
The light display started in 1997 when N. Bruce Jr. and Anne Howe donated their Christmas display. The Parks Department got additional donations that year to complement the Howes’ gift.
The display is funded through donations and a concessions trailer run by volunteers.
Christmas Countdown will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 9. It is another free event at Center Lake Pavilion.
The event will have crafts, hot chocolate, cookies, music and games, Wiering said. She suggested bringing a camera for pictures with Santa.
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