'Jingle in the Park' draws quite a crowd
By Kirsten Ballard
Published in News on December 14, 2014 1:50 AM
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News-Argus/MELISSA KEY
Children take a ride on the "Frozen" train Friday night at Herman Park during the city's annual "Jingle in the Park" event.
Achilles Suncin skated circles around his mom -- grabbing her hands and trying to get her to spin with him.
"He's an acrobat," his mother, Rachel Williams, said.
The two were among many who tried out the artificial ice-skating rink during Friday night's "Jingle in the Park" event at Herman Park.
And for Achilles, it was his first time on ice.
"I've been practicing," the 5-year-old said, as he raced from one side of the tennis court rink to the other -- using the railings to stop his momentum.
This is the first year Jingle in the Park has had ice-skating at the winter celebration.
The rink is constructed of plastic puzzle pieces and sprayed with water -- and for $5, anyone can give it a go.
"It's just like real ice," said Felicia Brown, recreation superintendent.
Herman Park was transformed into a winter wonderland for the event with lit arches, Christmas lights and ornaments.
Families could enjoy the hay rides, the "Frozen"-themed Kiwanis Train, Christmas carols, leaf piles, candy cane hunts, Christmas movies, s'mores by the fire pit and Mr. and Mrs. Claus.
But Saturday was not the last chance local residents have to experience the event.
Jingle in the Park will also take place Dec. 19 and 20 from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m.
"There's always something going on," Ms. Brown said. "This is beneficial to everyone."
Her favorite part is watching children take to the floodlight-lit playground at night.
"It just looks so different," she said.
In the past, the most popular event was the leaf piles.
"Not every kid has played in a leaf pile," she said. "They will spend the entire night out there."
Children of various ages jumped into, swam in and dove across the leaves Saturday.
And this year, the candy cane hunts take place in them, adding another navigational obstacle.
"It's more challenging," Ms. Brown said, laughing as she watched the children search.
Quiny Lee's feet sunk into the mound of leaves as he frantically searched for the plastic-wrapped sweets.
As he dove for the candy canes, they would sink lower into the pile.
"I got a few," he said after the hunt was over.
Alex Bailey, 5, and his mother, Ashley, came from Wilson to attend Jingle in the Park.
"They don't have anything like this in Wilson," she said.
After disembarking the Kiwanis train, they stopped to roast marshmallows for s'mores by the fire pit.
"It has fire on it," Alex said, as he rushed to extinguish his sticky dessert.
Meanwhile, Chris Merritt supervised his children in the leaf piles -- laughing as they tried to climb the mountains of foliage.
"This is brilliant," he said. "The kids enjoy it and it's an amazing experience."