Santa’s Winter Barn at MetroParks Farm raises Christmas spirit Harvesting memories

November 28, 2016 at 12:05a.m.

CANFIELD

Before climbing onto Santa Claus’ lap and excitedly expressing what he wants for Christmas, Cooper Bilas made a rather unusual move.

“I gave him a note of what I wanted and that I wrote,” the 5-year-old Canfield boy explained. “I really want a bow and arrow that’s big!”

Since Santa’s lap was large enough to simultaneously hold Cooper and his 4-year-old brother, Carter, both youngsters were able to make known what kind of gifts they hope St. Nick will place under their Christmas tree. Carter’s wish includes a Ninja Turtles toy, he said.

Carter and Cooper were among the children who were able to spend quality one-on-one time with Santa, thanks to Sunday’s annual Santa’s Winter Barn gathering at Mill Creek MetroParks Farm, 7574 Columbiana-Canfield Road (state Route 46).

Besides an early appearance by St. Nick, the three-hour family-friendly holiday event featured a variety of farm animals, along with other, “unusual” ones from other parts of the world. The display included a two-humped camel, a miniature cow, a donkey, large rabbits, a chicken, sheep and goats, noted Brenda Markley, MetroParks agriculture and education manager.

“Basically, this is an opportunity for families to visit Santa at the beginning of the holiday season,” Markley said, adding that Santa’s Winter Barn also was the last event at the farm until it reopens in April.

Suffice it to say that the gathering was only the beginning of what likely will be a joyous holiday for Carter and Cooper, as well as their parents, Eric and Michelle Bilas.

“We plan to celebrate this special time with family,” said Michelle, an Austintown Elementary School kindergarten teacher.

Michelle added this holiday season will be extra special for her, because she spent part of Saturday selecting a real Christmas tree, which marked the first time since her childhood that she has had such a tree.

“It brought back a lot of memories,” she continued. “It was one of my favorite things to do with my parents, so I wanted the boys to experience it.”

The family also was among those who interacted and took pictures with the animals, which also included two Flemish Giant rabbits. These large, domestic rabbits originated in Belgium and can weigh up to 20 pounds.

Joe Fagnano and Logan Moff, both of whom are Mill Creek Park volunteers, each had such a rabbit, and the animals were popular with many attendees, Fagnano said.

In addition to spending time with Santa Claus and the animals, many children enjoyed making craft ornaments of snowmen, St. Nick and snowflakes to hang on their trees. Among the youngsters participating was Damian Huertas, 3, of Youngstown, who decorated a Santa ornament with a bit of encouragement from his mother, Shantell Rivera.

“We’re spending time with family on the one day everybody’s off and that we get to spend time with each other,” Shantell said of her Christmas plans.

Helping to oversee the activity was Emmalee Wince, an agriculture educator at the farm.

“We like it to be easy for the kids and to be family-friendly,” she said.

Each craft was $1, and the money is to go into the park’s general fund, noted Markley, the agriculture and education manager.