Holiday on the square, Celina Record

Holidays come early to Celina with Christmas On The Square Lisa Ferguson, lferguson@starlocalmedia.com Dec 3, 2015 Holiday music filled the crisp night air Wednesday during Celina’s annual Christmas On The Square event. More than 1,000 people turned out for the free festivities, which kicked off at 6 p.m. with the lighting of the city’s Christmas tree. The 24-foot-tall Tannenbaum was adorned with white lights, orange ribbons and a multitude of large silver and gold ornaments. Area resident Lori Ferrell stopped to pose for photos in front of the tree with members of her family. She noted that they have attended Christmas On The Square each holiday season since her 3-year-old granddaughter, Aubrie, was born. “It’s become a tradition for us, and we love it,” Ferrell said. The event was expanded to include more performances and attractions than in previous years, according to Main Street manager Bridgette Bise. “We are basically building upon the experience that a family has coming to Christmas On The Square,” Bise explained. “Our square is the heartbeat of our community, and we want people to embrace it with us and start making it part of their Christmas tradition.” Several area churches and businesses set up under tents throughout the square to offer attendees complimentary warm beverages and goodies such as s’mores and cookies. Performance groups – including vocal and handbell choirs and the Celina Junior High School Bobcat Belles drill team – kept crowds entertained. A contemporary take on the traditional Christmas story, featuring a trio of comedic shepherds, was presented by members of First Baptist Church of Celina. Attracting some of the biggest crowds were a full-sized carousel, a quaint train ride and what was billed as the world’s largest snowman-shaped bounce house. Thrill seekers could jump on the inflatable Snowzilla, a “mobile tubing slide” that sent riders shooting down a 20-foot drop. It was one of the first stops of the night for Haley Clark, 10, who waited in Snowzilla’s lengthy line alongside her mother, Shelley Clark, and 5-year-old brother, Ryan. “It’s really fun,” said Haley, a Celina Middle School student. She was also excited to hear several local choir groups perform. “And, there’s free hot chocolate.” “They just have so much going on,” Shelley Clark remarked about the event, which her family has attended for several years. “It’s something we look forward to.” Celina’s Main Street and Economic Development building stood in as Santa’s living room, complete with a blazing faux fireplace and snow-dusted windows. Inside, St. Nick sat in an oversized chair, posed for photos and took gift requests from children. Meanwhile, Mrs. Claus held court at the Celina Library where youngsters decorated – and ultimately devoured – hundreds of holiday cupcakes. Parked in a pen outside of the library was Prancer the reindeer, who munched on a bucket of alfalfa hay as children queried her handler, Rick Smith of Midlothian’s Double R Reindeer Ranch, as to the whereabouts of the rest of Santa’s magical flying team. When it isn’t loaded with toys for good girls and boys, Smith matter-of-factly explained, “It only takes one reindeer to fly the sleigh.” Celina Mayor Sean Terry called the reindeer “a cool add” to this year’s Christmas On The Square event, which he said has kept pace with Celina’s growth. “The more we can do things like this to keep the small (town) feel,” he said, “the better off it is.”