Warsaw holds festival of trees and welcomes Santa
The Latham family (Seth, Randi, Keaton, Keirston, Kamdyn and Kalin) and the Lowe family (Brian, Rachelle, Jax, Taytum, Bodey, and Carter) enjoyed the Warsaw candlelighting and Santa’s arrival on Sunday, Nov. 25. Jen Jones | Beacon
WARSAW – The fifth and sixth grade honor choir from Warsaw Elementary performed a mini-concert in the gazebo in Warsaw to welcome everyone to the annual candlelighting service.
While the adults enjoyed the music, the children were excitedly waiting for a very important guest – Santa! They had their lists ready to share with him as soon as he arrived in a fire truck.
Kaylynn Wylie, 10, was ready to see Santa and tell him that she wanted baby doll stuff. She was at the parade with Harriett Wylie, who said this was the second year they had come to the service. Also with them was Mary Chaney, 7, who had a long list for Santa that included Mickey and Minnie toys. “I love Mickey and Minnie!”
The family has two “elf on a shelf” visitors each year – Jessica and Nick, The elves have already arrived to keep an eye on the girls and report to Santa. “Last night, they made a train out of shoes,” said Mary. The elves have already had other adventures in their home.
Sondra Rose said this was her family’s first time at the candlelighting. “We were at church this morning and our mailman reminded us about the parade and the festival of trees. We’ve been wanting to see that. Our church decorated a tree for it, so we had to go check it out. The trees are beautiful.”
The Beacon is one of 25 community participants who decorated a tree for the Walhonding Valley Historical Society Second annual Festival of Trees. The trees are on display at the museum on Main Street in Warsaw and can be viewed from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturdays and 1 to 4 p.m. Sundays through Dec. 16. “We are really pleased with the turnout and to see people from outside of the Warsaw community get involved,” said Brenda Davis, who the society’s secretary and a trustee. Josie Sellers | Beacon
Alynda Carnes, 12, is going to ask Santa for a hover board, PS4 and a really big rabbit cage. “I won a rabbit at the fair on my birthday. My rabbits are Pepper and EB (Easter Bunny).”
Ryder Rose, 4, was proudly wearing a Grinch hat and was really excited to see Santa. He wants a lot of Paw Patrol toys for Christmas. Sondra said he has two lists and already sent a letter to Santa while they were at Lowe’s.
Randi Latham, from West Lafayette, said this was the first year her family had come to the Warsaw parade. “My girlfriend, Rachelle, told me about it so we all went and got our Christmas trees and came to the parade.” Latham and her husband, Seth, have four children and all were waiting to tell Santa what they hoped to see on Christmas morning.
Keaton, 13, hopes to get a phone. Kierston, 11, wants a lot of clothes. Kamdyn is 9 and wants a Madden 19 video game. Kalin is only a year old but mom said books were a favorite so Santa would probably bring those.
The Lowe family attended the parade with the Lathams. Rachelle and Brian have four children who were also very excited to see Santa and tell him they have been good and share with him what they want for Christmas. Seven year old Jax wants a PlayStation and lots of soccer stuff. “I can’t wait to see Santa!” His sister, Taytum proudly shared that she was “Five and a half” and that she wanted Boxy girls and Hatchimals. Three year old Bodey was excited to see Santa and liked his hot chocolate. He wants a T-rex and a toy car from Santa. Carter is only 11 months old but his brothers and sister were going to tell Santa that he likes toy cars and would like those for Christmas.
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