By Mike Harris
Special to the Alpine Mountaineer
A bonfire, free hot dogs, hot cocoa, cookies, Christmas music, the lighting of the Crestline holiday tree and a visit from Santa will all be happening at Lake Gregory’s North Shore parking lot on Saturday, Dec. 2, for the third annual Goodwin’s Crestline Family Christmas celebration.
“Our family’s goal is to bring the community together and have camaraderie and good fellowship for everyone,” said Mike Johnstone, vice president and general manager of Goodwin and Son’s Market. “Our family’s vision is that everything will be free for the public. It’s our gift and a time to celebrate.”
The evening’s fun begins at 5 p.m. when County Fire firefighters light the bonfire in the center of the North Shore parking lot and manage it for the evening festivities.
Goodwin’s Market will be joined for the night’s fun by five churches – Woodlands Church, New Life Christian Fellowship, Mountain Hope Center, Crestline First Baptist Church and Lake Gregory Community Church – to spread Christmas cheer.
Woodlands Church will be providing Christmas music for the celebration, and Crestline First Baptist Church will be offering free coffee and water. Other churches will be offering popcorn and cookies, and the churches will be doing fun activities for the kids.
“And we will be offering free hot dogs and hot cocoa for all,” Johnstone said.
Then at 5:30 p.m., Santa Claus will make his grand entrance riding in on a County Fire shiny red fire engine. Santa, waving and ho-ho-hoing his way through the crowd, will make his way to his chair, where children can sit next to him and tell Santa what they want for Christmas.
Santa will be giving out gifts to kids 10 years old and under, and parents may take a photo of their child with Santa.
At 6:30 p.m., all eyes will be on the large cedar tree across the lake to watch the tree lighting countdown and celebration. The Christmas story will then be read by members of the attending churches.
Johnstone urged those planning to attend the festivities to car pool or park on the street.
“The Goodwin’s Market parking lot will not be available because of ongoing construction for rebuilding our market,” he advised. “There won’t be a lot of parking at the North Shore parking lot, so maybe ride with friends or family.”
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