AUGUSTA — After the shopping madness of Black Friday, the action and throngs of people Saturday in downtown Augusta were a refreshing change for Bella Bridgham, 6, who alternately danced in place and covered her ears against the barrage of fireworks lighting up the early evening sky.
Bella was one person out of hundreds who spent all or part of a chilly post-Thanksgiving Saturday afternoon along Water Street and at Old Fort Western, taking in what this year’s Riverfront Holiday Event had to offer.
She got to talk to Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus (and ask for a My Friend Cayla doll, which will help her do mathematics), watch Dance Unlimited perform on Water Street (and explain the action for those who could not see over the crowds) and then watch as Santa, Augusta Mayor David Rollins and City Councilor Cecil Munson light the Christmas tree in Market Square for the first time this season (it’s the biggest one she’s ever seen). And then, with Jennifer Bridgham and Chantel Wellman, she headed down to Waterfront Park to watch the fireworks display.
Visitors could also, among other things, hunt up the required objects for a scavenger hunt, visit with a couple of reindeer, ride in hay wagons drawn by draft horses with hooves festively painted a holiday gold, do a few Christmas crafts, listen to holiday music, watch Santa Claus arrive and spend some time in his castle.
Those who didn’t get to see Santa in person had the option of sending him a letter, as Grace Smith did at Santa’s Workshop. Grace, 7, who remembered to write “please” on her letter, made her written request for a “Frozen” music box — but she has hedged her bets. She also has asked Santa, via the elf on the shelf at her mother’s house, for Barbie’s Dream House. Then she was off with her family to try out something else.
The city of Augusta funded and organized the annual event to draw people to downtown Augusta and spend some time among the downtown shops and restaurants.
“We come down almost every year,” Jennifer Bridgham said, with Bella cuddled in her arms. “This kind of activity gets me in the spirit.”
“I didn’t want to come,” Wellman said. “I felt like staying home.” But as the fireworks flew, she captured photos of Bella and the pyrotechnics on her smartphone.
Now that the holiday mood has been ignited, Bridgham said, the Christmas tree will go up next week.
“You have to give it a week’s break (from Thanksgiving) before you get started with Christmas,” Wellman said.
In the meantime, and after an afternoon well spent, Wellman and the Bridghams headed straight for the hot chocolate.
Jessica Lowell — 621-5632
Twitter: @JLowellKJ
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