Several hundred people celebrated the beginning of the Christmas/holiday season by attending the tree lighting and Santa appearance at Virginia Gateway Shopping Center along Atlas Walk in Gainesville Nov. 16.
The festive Christmas tree lighting especially attracted families with little ones who were eager to meet Santa, Mrs. Claus and friends in person and take an old-fashioned horse-drawn carriage ride.
Santa kicked off the evening by addressing Virginia families crowded in the square between Dave’s BBQ and Grafton Street restaurants. He told them how happy he was to be at Virginia Gateway in Gainesville, and even answered some commonly asked Santa questions,
like which cookies Santa prefers.
“Some think it’s chocolate chip cookies,” said Santa, “but the real answer is round cookies.”
Parents delighted in the joy of having their kids recognize Santa.
“They are excited,” said Shamika Stevens, whose children said they wanted to see “Santa and the horseys.”
With the help of the folks from radio station WMZQ,"Washington’s Country Station" on 98.7 FM, Santa counted down to the lighting of the Christmas tree that towered over the restaurants, adorned with red and gold balls and gold lights.
After the tree lighting, children, eager to meet St. Nick, lined up around the tree. When it was their turn to talk to Santa and the Misses, children told them what they wanted for Christmas and had their photo taken with the infamous jolly old couple.
Joanne Caputi, Regional Marketing Director at the Peterson Companies, who runs Gateway Center, said they have had the tree lighting at the shopping center for the past eight years; and they always incorporate elements of entertainment.
“For us, it’s kicking off the holiday season. We enjoy inviting everyone in the community to celebrate with us,” Caputi said. “It is also a chance for our retailers and restaurants to showcase what they have to the community as well.”
She also said the Peterson Company made sure to bring back the same Santa and Mrs. Claus from last year, since the parents had liked them so much and said they looked so authentic.
Adults also enjoyed the celebration as it was the festive kick-off to their night out at Virginia Gateway. Over at Grafton Street, Manager Abby Rower said the tree lighting had helped to bring in a crowd.
“I think we have a prime position, and I think it will be good because everybody can see us,” she said.
It was also a fun event for teens, who still enjoyed posing for photos with some Christmas characters, like the Snow Princess and Tree Fairy.
Dalace Kelley of Gainesville said it was fun just to be there for a night out with her friends. The girls enjoyed a hot beverage, seeing the tree and the characters; they said they might even take a carriage ride but were waiting to see if the lines would thin out first.
On the other side of the Gateway Center, there were long lines as well. There were lines to get into the new Regal Virginia Gateway Stadium 14 theatre and next store to it, the newly opened restaurant, Bar Louie.
So even if it was not yet Thanksgiving, people enjoyed the trappings of red, green, silver and gold while going about their shopping and dining in Gainesville.
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