More than 400 celebrate season at Wheatfield Christmas party

Niagara Wheatfield Tribune, December 7, 2006
by Danny Maerten
Wheatfield Youth Committee

At the annual Town of Wheatfield Christmas Party on Dec. 2, Santa arrived on the St. Johnsburg Fire Company’s new fire truck and was greeted by a crowd in front of the Town Hall as he lit the annual Christmas tree. More than 450 parents and children were entertained with music from the Niagara-Wheatfield Jazz Band. Above, 7 year old Sammy and 5 year old Olivia Caridi had a visit with Santa to discuss a Christmas wish list. (photo by Chuck and Donna Cederman)

The annual Town of Wheatfield Christmas Party, held on Dec. 2, was attended by more than 400 Wheatfield neighbors and their friends.

The clear cold evening began with the appearance of Santa Claus riding loftily in the bucket of St. Johnsburg’s new ladder fire truck, while Mrs. Claus and the elves rode comfortably inside. Upon arrival at Wheatfield’s Town Hall, Santa was greeted by a joyous crowd singing “Here Comes Santa Claus.” At 6 p.m., Wheatfield Town Supervisor Timothy Demler, accompanied by Mr. and Mrs. Claus, flipped a switch, illuminating the town Christmas tree and lighting the walkway to the Community and Senior Center.

Inside the center, the festivities continued with fresh cookies, popcorn and refreshments. A seemingly endless line with wide-eyed children formed in anticipation of a personal visit with Santa Claus. Some 200 children informed him of their Christmas wishes while Mrs. Claus and elves distributed gifts and candy canes. A parallel line formed with families anxious to receive a balloon sculpture, wreaths, dogs, canes, parrots, and flowers created by Twilight, Jan Spagnola.

The award-winning Niagara-Wheatfield High School Jazz Band performed a crowd-pleasing repertoire followed by the magic of Rob and Carol Allen. The nationally known Wheatfield residents amazed all ages for almost an hour.

The remainder of the evening’s musical entertainment was presented by Sound Choice. Their sound system filled the floor with carefree dancing and singing. By 9 p.m., the cookies were depleted, Santa left to feed his reindeer, Twilight’s fingers were sore, and many smiles were homeward bound.

Bus tours of the Holiday Lights at Oppenheim Park were cancelled that evening as a result of Friday’s wind and rain. The entire park was under water, and is now reopened. Demler proclaimed Thursday, Dec. 14, as a Community Day. Wheatfield residents and friends are invited back to the Community/Senior Center for hot chocolate, cookies and popcorn along with bus rides through the Holiday Lights. This event runs from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.

The Wheatfield Youth Committee and Wheatfield Recreation Department thank everyone in attendance for making 2006 our most successful Christmas Party.