The first-ever Arnold Christmas in the Park was packed with people, organizers said.
More than 3,500 people attended the event, held Dec. 2 at the Arnold Farmers Market near the entrance of Arnold City Park, they said.
“I got a lot of feedback that it was the best event our city has ever done,” Mayor Ron Counts said. “I think people really enjoyed it.”
At the event, Santa Claus and the trio of the Grinch and Cindy Lou Who and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer were on hand for photos. In addition, the Vita Cantus Chorale and One Voice Children’s Choir performed throughout the evening.
Representatives from the Salvation Army of Jefferson County handed out free hot dogs and hot chocolate. Face painters and a balloon artist also were on hand.
Representatives from the Jefferson County Library Arnold Branch read stories to children, and about 20 craft vendors sold various items.
Arnold Jaycees and Arsenal Credit Union representatives set out fire pits and handed out free s’mores-making kits. The Arnold Chamber of Commerce and Arnold Rotary Club also gave away free items to children.
Two dog-themed events were held, including a dog cake walk and an ugly sweater contest for dogs. Arnold Parks and Recreation Department supervisor Kara Woldtvedt said the city did not get the names of the contest winners.
A 40-foot-tall Christmas tree made out of lights will be lit up after dusk each night in December.
About midway through the event, Counts lit a 40-foot-tall Christmas tree made out of lights.
“I thought everything went very well,” said Arnold Parks and Recreation Department Director Dave Crutchley, whose staff worked with a committee to organize the event. “I thought it was a fantastic evening. It felt kind of magical.”
The city commissioned local artist Karen McHughes to paint an archway that was placed at the entrance to the event. The archway featured elves decorating an Arnold Water Tower at each side of the arch’s base and Santa Claus riding in a flying covered wagon pulled by three reindeer.
Woldtvedt said numerous people told her how much they enjoyed the creation.
Gateway Fireworks, the company the city hires to put on the city’s fireworks displays for the Fourth of July and Arnold Days, set up a snow machine at the entrance.
“When people came into the park, they said the archway and snow really made it for them,” Woldtvedt said. “It really made people feel like they were walking into a winter wonderland.”
The event also introduced an augmented reality phone app game that will be available at the Farmers Market through Jan. 7, when visitors may scan a QR code to download the free app and play interactive games set in the market.
The games are similar to “Pokemon Go,” and Woldtvedt said the app works within 300 feet of the sign that features the QR code.
She said the Christmas tree, which will be lit from just after dusk to about 8 p.m. each night through the rest of December, and the Augmented Reality game are great ways to continue to celebrate the holidays.
The event, which started at 4 p.m., was scheduled to end at 8 p.m. However, vendors and most activities ended just after 7 p.m. when it started to rain and most of the crowd had left.
“I think (by 7 p.m.) most of the main attractions (the tree-lighting, dog contests and caroling performances) had all happened,” Woldtvedt said. “The rain kind of came in at the perfect time for the crowd dying down. I think next year we will do it more around a three-hour time frame.”
Counts said he was impressed by how many people turned out for the first-time event, and he said the city plans to continue to hold Christmas in the Park every year.
“It was unbelievable when I was on the stage getting ready to light the tree, and I looked out there and you couldn’t see anything but people,” Counts said. “Our thanks goes out to Dave Crutchley, the parks director, and staff for such a great job. We are already gearing up with our committee and discussing what we can do better for next year.”