The second version of Santa’s Wonderland was greeted warmly by a large gathering at the Evergreen Park Community Center Saturday afternoon.
Plans for the holiday bash went through some revisions earlier in the week because of the impending frigid temperatures. The reindog parade, which was introduced last year, was moved up earlier because of the cold.
Santa’s Wonderland would usually have vendors lined up along the Community Center parking lot with a huge tent set up where guests could sit and warm up with some hot chocolate.
But this year only two vendors were present in the parking lot while the rest of the activities were moved inside. Huge crowds of families moved in and out of the Community Center throughout the day.
No one was complaining about the changes since temperatures were hovering near 14 degrees outside. However, Santa was greeted indoors by youngsters all day, and the youth department held a candy shop for visitors who wanted some treats.
“It has been very good,” said Pyeisha Allen, director of the Evergreen Park Youth Department. “We’ve had people coming in all day.”
Activities included children lining up for face painting. Parents and children crowded into the meeting room of the Community Center, where holiday music filled the air and the Evergreen Park Community High School Madrigal Singers, dressed in Renaissance attire, performed a variety of songs of the season.
Free hot chocolate with marshmallows was served throughout the day. Inflated holiday figures were seen throughout the Community Center. This is the second Santa’s Wonderland, which replaced the Dickens Christmas Festival.
Activities are similar to the past but Mayor Kelly Burke wanted to emphasize families in this version. Glenn Pniewski, theater coordinator and public information representative for the village, greeted guests as they entered the Community Center.
“You know it’s kind of cozy,” Pniewski said about the changes that had to take place this year. “I don’t know if they meant it to be but it has kind of an old Plaza vibe to it. I like it.”
Pniewski was referring to the old indoor Evergreen Plaza that has since been demolished to make way for an outdoor version. He recalled a lot of holiday activities that took place at the old Plaza that featured not only Santa but other holiday characters.
But guests also ventured outside to take rides on the “Holley Trolley,” which took a short journey around nearby Klein Park and back to the Community Center. Parents and kids took rides on the white trolley throughout the day.
Inside the warmth of the Community Center, families had fun at a craft fair, Santa’s workshop, and cookie decorating. Besides Santa, they were also met by two teens dressed as Elsa and Anna from the movie “Frozen.”
But some parents and kids ventured into the chill to order food from two vendors located outside, La Michoacana De Daniel and Rojo Verde Antojitos Mexicanos.
Ricardo Ordaz was inside the heated La Michoacana De Daniel truck and remained warm as he waited for customers.
“I have not had many people come by,” Ordaz said with a laugh. “It’s just too cold. They moved everyone inside. It’s nice and warm inside there.”
But his patience was rewarded as several customers occasionally came out to buy some food from the two vendors.
Due to the cold, the tree lighting was moved an hour earlier. Residents braved the elements and waited patiently by the decorated tree just outside the Community Center.
The mayor then arrived, along with Village Clerk Kelly Duffy and trustees Carol Kyle, Jeannie Olson, James McQuillan and Mark Marzullo.
Burke kept her comments short and then counted down as the lights were turned on.
“Thanks to everyone who made this happen,” Burke said. “It is cold outside so I appreciate everyone being here.”
