“Winter Wonderland Unveiled: Girard’s Christmas in the Park Debuts with Frosty Festivities!”

GIRARD — Saturday marked the inaugural day of winter and Mother Nature certainly delivered as several inches of snow accumulated at David Tod Memorial Park before, during, and after the kickoff of Christmas in the Park.

The harsh conditions and frigid temperatures failed to diminish the excitement of the volunteers, vendors, and participants. Many expressed that it brought them into the Christmas cheer, particularly the kids.

The Foos siblings — 7-year-old Conor, 5-year-old Collin, and 2-year-old Camryn — were busy crafting snowballs near the pavilion. Their mother, Kelly McKee-Foos, was arranging the Girard Parent Teacher Organization booth alongside the activity she has with her children every holiday season.

“We create reindeer food. After my extended family departs from our home on Christmas Eve, my children and I enjoy a story together and then prepare the reindeer food to sprinkle on the front lawn,” McKee-Foos explained.

The reindeer nourishment comprises oatmeal flakes and red and green sprinkles or sugar that twinkle on the grass to guide the reindeer to the children’s residences. She distributed a paper that detailed the tradition, which stated, “Sprinkle on the lawn Christmas Eve night. The moonlight will make it sparkle bright. As Santa’s reindeer fly and roam, this will guide them to your home.”

Girard Mayor Mark Zuppo, who is completing his initial year in office, conceived the community event and knew it would be ideal to host it in this picturesque area of the city.

“With the gazebo and the two pavilions, we determined Tod Park was the ideal venue,” he remarked.

Girard PTO, Helping Hands volunteer group, and Recreation Director Mike Cardiero were part of the organizing committee along with the mayor. The bocce pavilion hosted a DJ who played “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” as St. Nick made his entrance on a fire truck accompanied by two Girard police vehicles.

Santa Claus and his elf assistant, Girard local Amanda Teutsch, greeted children at the gazebo where they could share their wish lists, while vendors offered handmade scents, candles, knit items, and other crafts. Food trucks provided meals and coffee to warm up everyone venturing through the park.

Helping Hands, composed of local female volunteers, operated the concession stand, where children received complimentary pizza from Margherita’s Grille, popcorn, and cotton candy. The mayor’s office generously donated the food.

“The group was established last January to support the city in any way needed to assist with community events and aid charitable organizations in Girard,” mentioned Cathy McCracken, a member of Helping Hands.

A plethora of activities was available for the children. The Girard Free Library shared stories with the little ones, and first responders from CSX, the Girard Police Department, and Girard Fire Department handed out free toys to each child who came by for a visit.

According to the organizers, the event was a triumphant celebration of the winter solstice.

“This inaugural year is a learning opportunity,” Zuppo stated. “We aspire to develop it into an event that everyone in Girard eagerly anticipates every year.”