By SHANNON CAULFIELD
The Marlton Sun
Santa slid down the fireman’s pole in the Main Street Firehouse to greet children and families Friday, Dec. 7 at WinterFest.
Families and children gathered in the firehouse’s transformed winter wonderland to meet Santa Claus and sit on his lap.
The big man made his grand entrance on one of Evesham’s fire trucks, climbed to the roof in true Santa fashion, and slid down the fireman’s pole to greet the children.
“People were here lined up at 4:30,” said Barry Fitzgerald a volunteer helping with WinterFest and member of the Evesham Celebrations Foundation. “It’s great to see all of the kids’ faces.”
WinterFest was sponsored by The Center for the Arts in Southern New Jersey in conjunction with Evesham Township Fire and Rescue and Evesham Township.
“WinterFest was started several years ago when the fire department wanted to do photos with Santa. They asked the Women’s League to get involved and we did,” said Ann Macready, executive director and special events director of the arts center.
Previously, the department used Polaroid photos to give out to the children.
“When it came over to the center for the arts, we began fundraising through the Harvest Festival, and got the decorations for the fire department,” said Macready. “We also got a professional photographer. Except, this year we didn’t have one. John Behnke, who’s a firefighter volunteered.”
Behnke used the professional camera and with the help of his daughter, attempted to get the children to smile after families waited patiently to sit on Santa’s lap.
“It’s all in the spirit of the holidays. It’s what we do here,” said Behnke, a 23-year veteran of the Evesham Township Fire and Rescue. “I like seeing the kids. They love it, and I love to see all their smiling faces.”
Families were given a candy cane and free hot chocolate after getting their photo taken.
Additionally, kids were able to gather to listen to Christmas stories and carol in Santa’s Story Corner provided by the Burlington County Library System.
Holly Hoskins of the Evesham branch and Theresa Preziosa of the Pemberton branch sang about Frosty the Snowman and Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, in addition to playing games.
“The kids all get excited,” said Hoskins. “I like to come out and see the kids in the community. It’s so festive.”
Multiple vendors and places to eat were available inside and outside of the venue.
The department donated the firehouse and candy canes given out during the event.
“The fire chief asked us to volunteer and we said ‘of course,’” said Macready. “This is a very worthy cause and it’s a fun event. It helps the fire department; it’s a promotion for them.”
Additionally, Target donated a bike for a boy and a girl to be given away.
“It’s a great community event,” said Macready.
Currently, the Evesham Celebrations Foundation is looking to possibly take over and expand the event.
“We have a lot of ideas we’re kicking around. I’m really excited to be involved, doing this for the community,” said Fitzgerald.
According to Fitzgerald, the fire department will remain involved in WinterFest.
“It will always be here,” said Fitzgerald. “I’m big about the kids and that’s what is awesome. They all got excited, especially when Santa came down the fire pole.”
Additionally, Fitzgerald would like to expand the event to other age groups to make it more teen-friendly.
“I’m excited to be involved with this,” said Fitzgerald. “There’s so many happy people, happy families and happy babies. It’s a great event.”
