Santa makes his first of several holiday stops in Newnan
From Staff Reports
news@newnan.com
Newnan and Coweta area youngsters had an in-person chance to tell their wishes to Santa Friday evening, as he made his annual post-Thankstiving stop on the Court Square.
He was on hand for the 2012 Main Street Newnan Mingle with Kringle event, arriving at 6 p.m. via the City Fire Department's antique fire engine. Parents were invited to bring cameras to take photos.
Santa will be back in town to ride in the city of Newnan's Christmas Parade Dec. 2. The parade begins at 3 p.m. that Sunday at the city park at Temple Avenue and Jackson Street and will continue on Jackson, through the Court Square and out LaGrange Street to Newnan High School.
For parade registration, contact Snider or Wendy LaRotonda at City of Newnan at 770-253-2682 - extension 203 or 228, or go to www.ci.newnan.us.ga and download an application. Parade applications must be received by Monday.
A portion of the parade entry fees this year support the Georgia Municipal Association’s Mayor’s Motorcade event to provide holiday gifts to those in the state’s mental hospitals.
Also, Santa will help kick off the holiday season at the Christmas tree lighting festivities tonight at Ashley Park.
Saturday’s Ashley Park celebration runs 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. and will feature local dance group the Caperettes and First Baptist Church of Newnan’s Sanctuary and Senior High School choirs before Santa arrives to light the tree.
Under the direction of Stephen Ball, the Caperettes include students from Southern Crescent Academy of Dance and Star Dance. The talented students will present a collection of “Rockettes” inspired numbers such as “Rocking Around the Christmas Tree.” Other selections include “Toyland,” “Toy Soldier,” “Sleigh Ride” and “Let It Snow.”
The First Baptist choirs will be directed by Rev. Lee Chitwood, minister of music. First Baptist’s Rev. Jerry Walker, minister to senior adults, will be reading classic “Night Before Christmas.”
Santa has a schedule of hours when he will be hearing children’s wishes at Ashley Park in a new location — in the former Limetree building, starting Saturday. Hours are noon to 6 p.m. Nov. 24-25; noon to 3 p.m. Dec. 1; noon to 6 p.m. Dec. 2; 3-6 p.m. Dec. 8; and noon to 6 p.m. Dec. 9, 15, 16, 22 and 23.
