HAMLET – Even though Richmond County didn’t see any significant amounts of snowfall over the weekend, the blast of cold winter weather was perfectly fitting for the City of Hamlet’s Old Fashion Christmas festival.
Originally scheduled as a two-night event for Friday and Saturday, heavy rains, pending inclement weather and near-freezing temperatures forced the City to cancel the event’s activities on Friday.
Regardless, it can be said that a good time was had by all on Saturday night. Hamlet’s night of Christmas cheer featured a snow queen on stilts, a juggler, a balloon maker, and an elf blowing giant bubbles. And of course, Santa Claus made his annual appearance.
When the juggler, who was decked out in elf attire, was asked if he was cold, he replied, “Of course not, it’s much colder where I am from. You know, the North Pole.”
Patrons of the event even had the opportunity to try their hand at making giant bubbles, with one child, Josh Tucker, successfully making a large bubble and sending it directly over the Hamlet Depot.
“This was the coolest thing ever,” Tucker said. “I want to do this at home.”
Santa, who was sitting in the Amtrak waiting room, stayed busy all evening as local children lined up outside of the door for a moment with the man in the red suit. Every child was ready to tell Santa exactly what he or she wanted for Christmas, and some popular requests were Barbie Dream Houses and hoverboards.
Another opportunity for children was to make reindeer food to feed Santa’s reindeer on Christmas Eve. Parents also had an opportunity to shop for last minute Christmas gifts, while featured vendors included MaybeATee Designs, Bert’s Crafts, Southern Jewelz and Kathie’s Holiday Treats.
“It was exciting to see new and unique things at Old Fashion Christmas,” stated Marinda Rogers of Hamlet. “It has been the same for so long. It was interesting to see the stilt walker, and I was blown away by her costume.”
