Hawthorne Christmas brings fun, surprises

Children enjoyed face painting as well as other family events at Hawthorne’s Christmas celebration on Saturday.  Santa visited Hawthorne early this year during the city’s Christmas celebration on Saturday, Dec. 11.

“The crowd was phenomenal this year,” Donna Bowles, the event organizer, said.

The event consisted of food vendors, arts and crafts, carnival rides and a parade at 3 p.m.

Bowles explained that the parade and event are arranged so that families can attend other events around the county as well. Both Melrose and Alachua held events the same weekend.

This year, besides the jolly-giant Santa himself, a special surprise guest marched in the parade this year - Ebeneezer Scrooge. Santa wowed children when he pulled up in his horse-drawn carriage.

The event has progressively grown larger through the 28 years of its existence. This year there were 50 vendors and 44 entries including motorcycle and car clubs showing off in the parade.

Onstage entertainment was also provided throughout the entire day.

Carnival rides and games were favorites with the children, who were the focus of this year’s event.

“We really try to cater to the kids,” Bowles said.

This year games offered rabbits and goldfish as prizes.

Bowles has organized the fair for four years and says she was surprised at the numbers this year. She doesn’t do it alone, however. A committee of four to five people help organize the several events of the day, logistics and other tactical issues.

Bowles, as well as other community members, were pleased with this year’s turnout.

“I think it was the biggest one yet,” said Hawthorne resident Heather Surrency.