Christmas in the Park sparkles as true gift to the community

  • by Jennifer Kneuss
  • December 19, 2011
  • 335
                        
Summary: Christmas in the Park is a gift to the community from a local business, and this year’s perfect temperatures brought out a record crowd to enjoy the evening at Tuscora Park. In spite of stocking up with 1,400 hot dogs, Santa’s helpers from McInturf Realty found themselves serving the last ones well before seven o’clock, two hours before the annual Christmas in the Park event at New Philadelphia’s Tuscora Park drew to a close. “I can’t even begin to tell you how many cups of cocoa we served tonight. We ran out of everything!” exclaimed Jan McInturf, who pointed out the temperatures, unlike the frigid conditions of many other years, were almost balmy for late December. As a result, crowds at his company’s ‘gift to the community’ were huge. “There were probably 8,000 people here in all tonight. We also probably had the best entertainment we’ve ever had, including Indian Valley and Tuscarawas Central Catholic high school choirs, New Philadelphia Central Elementary choir, Todd Taylor, and the Trumpet Singers, along with other entertainment all night long.” McInturf admitted that he doesn’t really being his own Christmas shopping until a day or two after the annual event is over, which means his shopping is pushed to December 23 and 24, because he is too busy with plans for the park celebration before that point. He also acknowledged that his down-to-the-wire shopping gets a little crazy as a result. “I want some surprises,” he chuckled. The realtor’s mother, Saunie McInturf, was busy in the park pavilion, helping keep the costumed characters organized, and said that her son definitely comes up with last minute surprises. “We never have any idea what he’ll come up with next,” she laughed. “He’s also always thinking of new things to add for Christmas in the Park.” “I’ve been here for all 15 years we’ve been doing this,” Saunie continued. “Our family went to the Festival of Lights at the Cincinnati zoo years ago, and Jan got the idea there. He felt Tuscora Park would be the perfect backdrop to have a community event like that here.” Saunie said her son has always loved Christmas, so the event is a natural fit for him. The entire family gets involved with his project, along with his staff and many volunteers. From the joyous smiles of the thousands in attendance, it was evident that Christmas in the Park is a true gift to the Tuscarawas County community. “It’s been wonderful, because we get to see so many people, and we know they are here to celebrate Christmas together,” she said of the event, which includes live animals in a petting zoo, pony rides, ice sculptures, amusement park and carriage rides, pictures with Santa, cookie decorating and other fun things for the entire family, all backlit by hundreds of luminaries and twinkling lights strung throughout the park. There is also hot cocoa, popcorn, and hot dogs, with donations accepted for hot dogs. All of the activities are free to visitors. Donations are always presented to a local organization, and this year, the beneficiary will be the Pillars Club of Uhrichsville, which has been providing scholarships, food, and other assistance to the community since 1975, when it was founded by John and Ann Page. “We are having a wonderful time here,” commented Traci Keller, who came to the event with her husband and two young daughters. “Everything is so beautiful, with all of the lights and the music. I am so glad they do this for the community.” The Armstrong family of Bolivar was wide-eyed with wonder at their first visit to Christmas in the Park. “This was much more than I expected,” said Rosalee Armstrong, as she waited in line for her children, Emma, Lillie, and Danny, to get balloon sculptures, with Danny eventually triumphantly waving a balloon sword delightedly. “It’s a winter wonderland, magical. It’s just gorgeous.” Five year old Luke Reveal of Dover knew exactly what his top pick of the evening was. “My favorite is the carriage ride through Story Book Lane,” he chatted excitedly. His mother, Sara, beamed. “This makes it truly feel like Christmas, absolutely.”


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