MANSFIELD, Ohio — It’s Christmas time in the City of Mansfield. To celebrate this merry season, Downtown Mansfield, Inc. (DMI) held a Christmas tree lighting ceremony at the Richland Carrousel Park Friday evening.
Children’s eyes grew wide and the crowd burst into applause as the 50-foot tree was lit.
Mansfield Mayor Tim Theaker, joined by other dignitaries including Richland County Commissioner Gary Utt, Mansfield Councilman At-Large Don Bryant, Bellville Mayor Darrell Banks and former Mansfield City Council President Virginia Imhoff, led everyone in the countdown for the tree lighting.
“Merry Christmas, everybody,” Theaker said as the lights burned bright.
He also thanked Jamie Thompson and Jennifer Kime of DMI for helping make the evening’s festivities a success.
“Tonight really won’t and could not go on without the support and the work from two individuals that really work hard: Jamie Thompson and Jennifer Kime,” Theaker said.
Thompson estimated that in 2012, approximately 5,000 people flocked to downtown for this event.
“And that was when we determined that it was really a big thing and people actually knew that downtown Mansfield was a destination, so here we are and every year it’s been a manageable, great event,” she said.
From the reindeer petting zoo provided by Kleerview Farm, to carriage rides around Central Park, the event offered a variety of activities.
Mansfield residents Beverly Jackson and Shirley Thompson were impressed.
“It’s been awesome,” they said.
“Next year I hope to bring my grandchildren,” Thompson said.
Musical entertainment was provided by Richland Academy students and a barbershop quartet known as “Twilight Tones.”
Children could get their photo taken with Santa at the Carrousel.
Five-year-old Gatlin O’Brian, of Mansfield, sat on Santa’s lap and told him what items are on his Christmas list.
“I know what I want,” he exclaimed. “I want a Star Wars snowboard.”
Other items on his list are a fire truck and ambulance, he added.
His favorite part of Christmas, he said, is “when Baby Jesus is born.”
Attendees could also visit the Tiny Tim Shoppe, which was sponsored by Richland Bank, and poke around downtown for the First Friday Shop Hop.
“It’s a great night downtown,” Thompson said.
