Santa caps off festive night in Wooster where kids put in their orders with the jolly man

Kevin Lynch, Wooster Daily Record
·2 min read

WOOSTER − Sure, it's not even Thanksgiving, but Santa Claus is still coming to town.

And stores and businesses throughout downtown Wooster welcomed the jolly old elf with the traditional kickoff to the holiday season Friday at the Window Wonderland celebration.

A tree lighting of the tree on the square took place around 7 p.m. The Apple Creek Banking Co. donated the Downtown Wooster Christmas tree this year. Trey and Brodi Richard, children of Molly and Michael were chosen to do the honors of lighting the tree.

Santa was delivered safely from atop the Briggs & Starr Building via a Wooster firetruck ladder.

Santa takes time to have his photo taken with Jaice and Nalaya Doss of Creston on Friday night at Window Wonderland.
Santa takes time to have his photo taken with Jaice and Nalaya Doss of Creston on Friday night at Window Wonderland.

Kids earned their keep while waiting for Santa

While waiting for Santa to arrive, many children accompanied their parents to various stores in search of that elusive elf on a shelf.

Kate Walker said Lacey Lemon, 11, and Elly Sadler, 9, were big helpers in finding the elves on the shelves.

Sadler hopes to ask Santa for a Holiday Barbie, while Lemon said she wants a lacrosse stick.

Gracelyn Freyman, 5, accompanied her mother Aubrey. Gracelyn shared she hopes Santa brings her a Barbie doll.

Trey and Brodi Richard flip the switch to light this year's children's Christmas tree on the square.
Trey and Brodi Richard flip the switch to light this year's children's Christmas tree on the square.

Blaze Starkey, 11, said he wanted a Leggo Ninjago set.

Aubrey Haskins, 5, said she's hoping Santa brings her a Peppa Pig set.

Brothers Eli (6) and Theo (8) Hevener were super excited to come and see Santa.

Eli said he hopes for some Paw Patrol toys, while his bog brother is hoping Santa brings a Goo Jit Zu toy and some Nerf guns.

Aubrey Freyman and daughter Gracelyn are busy looking for Elf on the Shelf in the scavenger hunt in downtown stores.
Aubrey Freyman and daughter Gracelyn are busy looking for Elf on the Shelf in the scavenger hunt in downtown stores.

Adults had fun, too

The Friday festivities were not only fun for the children. Many adults got in on the action. Employees at Keller Williams Legacy Group Realty in downtown Wooster, donned character costumes from the Grinch and expected to pass out more than 500 cups of cocoa and some homemade chocolate chip cookies.

Melissa Sanford said her mom, Patricia Hutches, baked more than 500 cookies.

"It's really a fun night," she said. "We enjoy getting in costume and taking part. We'll be busy, giving out 500 cups of cocoa."

Seven-year-old Anthony Starkey said he wants Santa to bring him is a secret.
Seven-year-old Anthony Starkey said he wants Santa to bring him is a secret.

There is room at the inn

Also among the revelers were representatives from the Living Faith Church of Wooster. The three wise men were distributing treasurers to visitors.

One of the members said they meet at the Hilton Garden Inn Gazebo, and there is plenty of room at the inn.

There were live dancers on display in some store windows on the square, and other characters like Gingerbread cookies posing for pictures with the kids.

Some live reindeer were on display at Main Street as well, probably waiting to whisk the man of the hour away when the evening was over.

Kids had a chance to have a photo taken with the gingerbread people.
Kids had a chance to have a photo taken with the gingerbread people.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: Santa kicks off Christmas holiday in Wooster amid a Window Wonderland