Harlem Country Christmas

Residents of Harlem, Chinook and other area communities braved the fierce winds to come out and celebrate the holiday season Wednesday night, taking part in the Harlem Country Christmas.

The event, sponsored by the Harlem Civic Association, consisted of open houses, local merchants selling their wares, food, a brief Christmas concert and, of course, the chance to get pictures taken with Santa Claus.

"It just gets everyone out kinda in the holiday mode, I guess. It brings the community together; that's the idea behind it," said Rod Becker, president of the Harlem Civic Association, serving popcorn from a red-wheeled replica of an old-fashioned popcorn machine.

Foot traffic was slow at first, as strong winds propelled tumbleweeds and trash cans across the roads. However, as the night went on, the community came alive with crowds.

The Harlem Public Library launched its annual winter book sale, with visitors filing in and out as Becker served up light conversation and fresh popcorn from a wheeled red replica of an old popcorn machine.

Veteran strollers say the Country Christmas has happened each year for at least the 10 years when the civic association started sponsoring it. It has also been scheduled on a Wednesday on the same week each year throughout that period.

This year, he said, three additional businesses - CarQuest, Glitz and Glamour and Harlem Lumber - decided to host open house events.

Colleen Broomer, the Harlem Library director, said the book sale, where prices ranged from 10 cents to $1, will continue through December with proceeds going to the summer reading program.

Ornaments from the Civic Association's Christmas ornament decorating contest were also on display at the library.

Outside, lampposts were bedecked with Christmas ornaments, red and green bunting and stockings large enough to hold a 14-year-old.

At the Hanging Post, a western-themed pizza restaurant, the scene was lively with a mix of competing conversations and laughter of playful children.

Amid the line of downtown storefronts, local artisans sold crafts, Avon products, and small ceramic light up churches, and a manger scene were all lined up on a table with a small contingent of baked goods.

"We had a bazaar, so we just used some of the leftovers for a bake sale," said Karolee Cromp.

Cromp said her table's display, sponsored by St. Thomas Catholic Church, is to remind people of the religious aspect of the holiday.

The Harlem Senior Center contributed to the festive atmosphere with a chilli and chili dog supper. For $5, attendees were able to dine on chili, chili dogs and baked goods.

When 5:30 approached, the Harlem High School Band began playing Christmas music.

Katie Noel, director of the Harlem Senior Center said she recalled one year, when real-life reindeer were paraded down the sidewalk. Those passing by she said were able feed and pet the creatures,

"I remember those reindeer for some reason," she said.

At KB's Deli, a crowd began to form in hopes of getting their picture taken with guest of honor: Santa Claus himself.

Brian Fox, who works at the Bank of Harlem and ranches near Turner, was the performer playing the role of Jolly Old St. Nick.

For the past five years he has made the trip down to Harlem with his two children ages 5 and 7 to partake in the festivities. He said they did not know that he also masquerades as Santa Claus.

Another actor was scheduled to play the role, but couldn't after it was discovered that he could not fit in the iconic red suit provided by the civic association.

Fox said it is the children and the joy meeting with Santa Claus brings them that motivates him to dress up as Santa. The experience he said brings with it many amusing stories.

"The kids scream," said Fox. "The parents they want to get that perfect picture and the little kids are screaming and yelling, so that's kind of funny for me to see anyway."

At 6 p.m., the lighting of the tree took place. Despite the growing crowds in town, there was only a small gathering outside city hall for the lighting of a pine tree dressed in Christmas lights.

Bill Taylor said that, as mayor of Harlem, he always looks forward to the public tree lighting.

"This is a time of year when 'let there be light' actually means something," he said, "a lot more than the lighting of the tree. and we celebrate that."