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27th year for Christmas at the Wickliffe Austintown fire station
By Kalea Hall
AUSTINTOWN
Every year, as many Austintown families do, Dorothy Workman brings her family to see Santa Claus at the Wickliffe Austintown fire station.
She used to bring her daughter, Janette, and now she gets to share the tradition with her four grandchildren.
“I think it’s nice to bring the kids to,” Workman said.
Santa Claus came by firetruck to the fire station Thursday evening for hundreds of children eagerly waiting to tell him what was on their Christmas wish list.
The event is “for everyone to be a part of,” said Jim Davis, township trustee. “Everybody loves to see Santa.”
This is the 27th year the Wickliffe Circle Christmas Committee and the fire department have had the community event. It started out with just decorating the pine tree at the station and evolved over time.
“It’s wonderful,” said Joyce Pogany, chairman of the committee.
In addition to making sure the station is decked out in lights and Christmas decor, 400 dozen Christmas cookies along with hot chocolate and coffee are set out for the children and adults.
Davis led a crowd in a countdown for the lights to turn on at the station.
Santa arrived from the North Pole, waving to the crowd with his elves as Christmas carols were played by the Austintown Fitch Brass Band.
Children chased after Santa in the truck, barely able to contain their excitement — even in the cold rain.
Clara Stewart, 7, of Austintown was one of those children.
“I want free presents,” she said.
Clara specifically asked Santa for a Barbie dream house.
“This [event] rocks,” said Tamara Johnson, Clara’s mother.
Workman’s grandchildren, Lillie, 6, Jacob, 3, and 2-year-old twins, Lexie and Lacie Marshall asked Santa for special presents. Jacob had the longest list of all including a flashlight, Buzz and Woody from Toy Story and Thomas the Train.
“What’s the next one?” he asked his mother, Janette.