Carolers entertained the crowd at Christmas in the Park while waiting for Santa Claus to arrive.

by Beecher Threatt
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Ridgway's Christmas in the Park drew over 100 children and parents Saturday for Santa visits, caroling, face painting and more. "We couldn't have asked for better weather," said Susan Leverenz, treasurer of Ridgway Area Chamber of Commerce, which sponsored the event.
Anyone could join the carolers at the gazebo in Town Park, led by Kathryn Kubinyi, Ridgway music teacher, and Kellie Eggers. Some of Eggers' singers from the Weehawken Children's Chorale joined Kubinyi and Ridgway students.
As soon as the caroling was over, the crowd was startled by a fire truck siren and turned to see Santa waving from on top. Santa climbed down, took his place in the gazebo and conferred with children who formed a line down the walk. Each child got a goodie bag from RACC after making Christmas requests to Santa.
For their visit with Santa, children could choose various "dress-up" items from a table. Resident Shannon McCarthy said she provides the fun clothes at several children's events during the year.
Leverenz said this is the second year RACC has held the event during the daytime. When it was at night, people didn't stay very long, she said. Also, this year RACC moved the date further into December.