Chestnuts roasting by an open fire, Jake Frost nipping at your nose..." as the old song goes by Nat King Cole. Chestnuts were roasting over a warm fire at Holly Days, with Pikk's Tavern’s Paul LoDuca and his special helpers, Karli and Isabel, giving everyone a warm fresh roasted chestnut to try.
Luckily for the attendees, Jack Frost stayed away for Holly Days. And though it was a bit nippy, it was a pleasant night for families to come to the Central Park Plaza event, hosted by Valparaiso Community Festivals & Events for musical entertainment and a live nativity scene performed by First Christian Church.
Decorating the Holiday Village Market were fresh cut ice sculptures of reindeer, snowmen and Santa, carved by the Michiana Ice Carvers.
Delighting families and friends with the songs of the season were Mayor Jon Costas (on acoustic guitar and vocals) along with Luis Gonzalez (on acoustic guitar). Costas and Gonzalez are from the band The Conservadelics. Costas said, “I love to do Christmas songs. I started playing for the bell ringers with the Salvation Army in front of Kmart many years ago. People enjoy Christmas music; it brings out the best in folks.”
He continued, “The songs are timeless and they talk about hope and peace, and the music brings people back to their great childhood memories of Christmas.”
The Valpo Varsity Singers from Valparaiso High School also took the stage on the Porter Health Amphitheater Stage, singing all the classic and cheerful music of the season. Choir Director Linda Shonbachler said, “We’ve been doing this for over 24 years. We started on the square. This is a wonderful new park to sing in.”
If you missed the signing in the park, the Thomas Jefferson Elementary School Brownies and Girl Scouts sang carols all through town. Troop Leader Amy Collier said, “We’ve been doing this for years and it is so much fun.”
Store owners and shop keepers were open for the annual Holly Days celebration. Wonderful aromas and smells lined the streets, from the sweet smells of fresh popped kettle corn to the steaming hot Vienna Beef hot dogs being served up by the corner vender. Some gave samplings to try such as Don Quijote Restaurant, who handed out chicken noodle soup that warmed you inside and out.
If you wanted a picture with Santa, upstairs in the warm Porter Masonic Lodge, pictures were being taken and the proceeds went to raise money for a local girl, Phoenix Bridegroom, who is suffering with Leukemia. Visit Friends and Family of Phoenix Bridegroom on Facebook to learn more.
For more upcoming events from the Valparaiso Community Festivals and Events, visit www.valparaisoevents.com.
”Yule tide carols being sung by a choir, and folks dressed up like Eskimos… And so I'm offering this simple phrase, to kids from 1 to 92, although it’s been said many times, many ways Merry Christmas to you.” Nat King Cole sang it best.