‘Santa and S’more’: Returning event draws nearly 250 children

A young family sits in Santa Claus' new sleigh, giving wish lists to the head elf, at the Santa and S'mores event at Sam Michael Park. Toni Milbourne
SHENANDOAH JUNCTION — Expanding on a program developed last year for the first Christmas during the COVID-19 Pandemic, where social distancing was required and outdoor activities more prevalent, the Jefferson County Parks and Recreation Department once again hosted Santa and S’mores over two weekends this month.
Spread out over two Friday and Saturday evenings, the event this year was labeled as a “rolling event,” where those families registered to attend came within a timeframe, but not necessarily at a specific time.
Upon arrival, guests could participate in any number of activities set up at The Amp, including visiting Santa and Mrs. Claus, making reindeer food, listening to story time with Bolivar-Harpers Ferry Public Library Children’s Librarian Crissy Fesperman or singing Christmas carols with Tony M.
“I think the rolling event was a great success,” said David Kling, assistant director of the park system. “It allowed people to move at their own pace.”
Each Christmas, for more than 20 years, the JCPRD has hosted a holiday event. What began years ago as Lunch with Santa, held at the War Memorial Building in Shepherdstown, later turned into Santa’s Polar Party at the Jefferson County Community Center. The Polar Party welcomed upward of 250-300 children each year to take photos with Santa Claus, play games and make crafts.
The pandemic-related event change has proven to be a hit with attendees, especially as they gathered around open fire pits to create tasty s’mores.
Holiday lights lit up the state of The Amp, as well as the grassy area surrounding the facility over the two weekends. Santa and Mrs. Claus, who had been stationed behind a picket fece last year, to encourage social distancing, sat on a new sleigh this year. Children and their families could sit in the sleigh, share their wish lists and pose for photos with the Clauses, before moving on to other activities.