Friday. December 5. 1997
The University Daily Kansan
Section A • Page 5
Lawrence children, parents welcome Santa downtown
By Corrie Moore
cmoreo@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
Santa waves to the crowd after being rescued from the top of Weaver's department store, 901 Massachusetts St. Santa was rescued by a fire truck's ladder as a part of downtown Lawrence's annual tree lighting ceremony. Photo by Geoff Kringer / KANSAN
The Christmas spirit came to Lawrence last night as residents gathered on the corner of Ninth and Massachusetts streets to wait for the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus.
About 150 people attended the annual Downtown Lawrence Tree Lighting Ceremony and Santa's Arrival, which began at 5:30 p.m. The Senior Band, Home Harmonies and St. John's Elementary School Choir performed before the lights turned on.
Lisa Blair, administrator at Downtown Lawrence Inc., organized the event and said she thought the cold weather and KU men's basketball game against Emporia State affected turnout.
"We usually have an audience at least four times this," she said.
Blair said the ceremony had been a Lawrence tradition for 20 years. This was her sixth year helping with the event.
Mary Ellen Kriegh, Lawrence resident, has brought her two sons to the ceremony for the past six years.
"It's a fun tradition." she said. "It's enjoyable for the kids."
entertained the crowd between acts.
A stage and Santa's house were set up in front of Mercantile Bank. Elves bedecked in green satin waited inside the house until Santa arrived.
The evening kicked off with the master of ceremonies, Lawrence Childrens' Theater's Ric Averill, who introduced the groups and
The Senior Band, directed by Amy Akin, was first to perform, followed by Home Harmonies, an a capella choral group. The group has performed the last few years at Santa's Arrival.
Assistant city manager Rod Bremby read the editorial, "Yes Virginia, There is a Santa Claus," published in the "New York Sun."
The last group to perform was St John's Elementary School Choir.
A representative from Downtown Lawrence, Inc. and KSNT Television helped turn the lights on.
Seconds later. Santa and Mrs.
Claus appeared from the rooftop of Weaver's Department Store, 901 Massachusetts St.
As Santa informed the crowd that his reindeer were resting after the long journey from the North Pole, sirens could be heard coming down the streets.
A fire truck arrived and the large ladder was raised to rescue Santa and Mrs. Claus. Two firemen helped them down as the crowd cheered.
After the Claus' safe arrival to the street, some parents gathered their children to present Santa with their Christmas lists, others headed home to escape the bitter cold.
Old fashioned holiday parade to bring out Santa Claus
Kansan staff report
The fifth annual Eldridge Hotel Old Fashioned Christmas parade will start at 11 a.m. tomorrow at Seventh and Massachusetts streets and will end at 14th and Massachusetts streets.
"It's a one-of-a-kind p.:'ade," said Rob Phillips, general manager of the Eldridge Hotel, 701
Massachusetts St. "It is very
unique."
Every year, the parade attracts between 30,000 and 40,000 people from all around the country. Phillips said.
The parade includes 105 horse-drawn vehicles, and, most importantly, Santa Claus will be there to take Christmas requests.
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