Santa arrived in downtown tonight on a horse-drawn carriage that sent scores of children scurrying through Greer City Park to greet him.
The occasion was the annual lighting of the Christmas tree sprinkled with a flurry of activity for families from the promenade to the amphitheatre.
Activities included roasting marshmallows, visiting displays of other countries and learning their culture of the holidays.
The Riverside High School Band performed Christmas music in the amphitheatre.
Santa, by far, was the big draw for children. He read “Twas the Night Before Christmas” with Zoe Adams (home page photo) nestled in his lap. He then made his way to the tree lighting with wide-eyed children following closely around him.
Santa stayed late listening to the children’s requests and having his photo made with them.
The tree lighting is one of three busy days of celebration in Greer. Breakfast with Santa at the Cannon Centre Saturday morning has three seatings, all sold out the first day tickets were available.
The Greer Jaycees Christmas parade is Sunday beginning at the Clock restaurant at 2:30 p.m. The families of Pfc. Adam Ross and Sgt. Channing “Bo” Hicks headline the parade with the Rosses the grand marshal. Ross, 19, and Hicks, 24, were killed in Afghanistan, Ross July 24 and Hicks on Nov. 16.
The Village Hospital was the presenting sponsor of tonight’s events.