By MADDY VITALE
The Ocean City Community Center was filled with holiday cheer on Sunday afternoon when Santa, Mrs. Claus, a stilt walker and carolers in Victorian-era dress, helped kick off the celebrations during the annual Holiday Festival.
Each year the event serves to showcase the center. There were activities at the Ocean City Free Public Library, Ocean City Arts Center and Ocean City Historical Museum, all under the same roof at the Community Center.
The event began in the atrium, where Santa made his grand entrance, sashaying down the Arts Center steps, to greet a crowd of giddy children.
“She can’t wait to see Santa,” Lauren Levering, of Marmora, said as she held her 2-year-old daughter, Eloise, who was wide-eyed and anxiously awaiting the entrance.
“She loves everything Christmas and this is our first time at the festival, so we are very excited,” Levering added.
When Santa made his appearance, passing out candy canes and patting the heads of the kids, Eloise beamed.
Other children, such as Savanna Carelse, 5, of Ocean City, had fun doing lots of things. She and her grandmother, Freddie Troster, of Ocean City, enjoyed the arrival of the big man himself, while Savanna sipped from a drink pouch, proudly donning her Santa Claus hat.
“I like the music!” Savanna said of the carolers singing Christmas songs.
There was something for everyone. Adults perused gifts at the Historical Museum and Arts Center while the children enjoyed the activities. Sweet treats and other goodies were also available donated by a local restaurant. There was even a balloon sculptor to make figures from reindeers to Christmas trees.
A line formed from the atrium to the Children’s Services area of the library, where Santa was seated for photos.
Stephanie and Ocean City Police Officer Jack Davis, of Ocean City, were at the front of the line with their 2-year-old daughter, Rosalie.
“We are so excited. This is her first picture with Santa,” Stephanie Davis said with a smile.
Rosalie smiled as she sat holding a candy cane courtesy of Santa just long enough for several cellphone photos.
OCFPL Children’s Librarian Taimi Kelley was busy in a lecture hall clapping, stomping her feet and displaying other ways to illustrate books as she read to 14-month-old Christopher Rosenblatt, of Philadelphia, as his parents, Brooke and David Rosenblatt, clapped along.
The festival, in its 18th year, is always such a wonderful time for the children and their families, Library Director Karen Mahar said.
“The spirit of Christmas is evident today,” Mahar noted.
OCFPL Board of Trustees President Jennifer Shirk added as both she and Mahar watched families enjoying themselves and Santa greeting the children, “There is no better place to hold such a spirited, fun event than in the Community Center.”
For other events and more information about the Ocean City Free Public Library visit https://www.oceancitylibrary.org/
