By RUTH LANG
Photo By Nick Poorbaugh/The Review

Weather out of the north must have been good because Santa and Mrs. Claus arrived at the Carnation City Mall food court entrance promptly at 11 a.m. Saturday as planned.

Santa and Mrs. Claus arrived on a sleigh pulled by Percheron horses Buddy and Sonny of May Meadows Ministries in Jude. The couple was then greeted by a chorus of "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" sung by Patti Schaefer's Performing Arts Troupe and several bystanders.

The carolers followed the Clauses, who were escorted by "Princess" Lindsey Wicinski, to center court, where Schaefer's group lined up to sing songs from their annual Christmas recital, "The Teddy Bear Christmas." Paige Felger sang "Santa Baby" as Mr. and Mrs. Claus danced in center court.

The Clauses then settled down to greet and have their photos taken (courtesy of Nichol Photography) with children in a "living room" cozily decorated with a fireplace and mantel, plush green chair, rocking chair, reindeer and a 10-foot Christmas tree.

Later, the Alliance City Strutters performed.

Videographer Bruce Carroll, father of 6-year-old singer Savannah Carroll, shot video of Saturday's events, which can be viewed online from the video gallery at www.carrollvideo.com.

To usher in the theme of "Hometown Holidays," mall manager Lisa Poole and owners installed "street lamps" to give the center aisle a Main Street feel. Poole also commissioned local artist Sandy Rodman to spruce up the place with decorations, including three wintry scenes (one at each entrance), various ornaments, ribbons, wreaths and a large Christmas tree in the center court.

"It was fun to present the ideas to the owners," Rodman said. "I was floored that they would invest in their decorations."

Along with volunteers Beth Stevenson, Kathy Davis and Bonnie Cannon, Rodman spent most of last week preparing the mall for Santa's arrival. She added that more decorations, including a kissing ball from Anstine Machining, are to come.

Poole said Saturday's event was a successful harbinger of the holidays and of things to come at the mall. She said 11 holiday vendors are in place, and the school spirit receipt program is getting more competitive. Poole added that the mall's new logo is slowly being unveiled.

For additional information on holiday events to be held at the mall, visit www.carnationcitymall.com.

rlang@the-review.com
http://www.the-review.com/news/article/4474298