SHELBY, Ohio – The annual Moments of Christmas Magic celebration made its way through the streets of Shelby on Sunday, marking the third installment of the beloved holiday event.
An estimated 3,000 to 3,500 people took advantage of the festivities, having opportunities to meet classic holiday characters such as Cindy Lou Who, the Grinch, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, the Christmas mouse, Scooby Doo, a Christmas angel, a live Nativity scene, and, of course, Santa Claus and his wife.
In addition, more than 55 local businesses from Shelby and across Richland County took part in the highly-anticipated event, which originally was established three years ago to help the Shelby Area Business Group (SABG) kick off Small Business Saturday.
The national shopping day, launched by American Express in 2010, is Nov. 28, following Black Friday.
Julie Britton, owner of the Coolest Shop in Town and treasurer of the SABG said the event was “wonderful.”
“Look at everybody – they’re all down here, and we’re getting ready to enjoy all the activities at Central for all the kids,” she said. “There’s Santas out here, there’s Christmas characters.
“Come down and enjoy, that’s what we put this on for – for the family to kickstart Christmas.”
Starting at 3 p.m. inside Central Gymnasium, children and their families decorated cookies and crafts and wrote letters to Santa, among other things. Entertainment in the gym was provided by DJ Ed Gutchall, Richland Academy of the Arts, and the Shelby Dawgettes.
The activities were free and hosted by Pioneer Career and Technology students.
Of the many people out for the day was Clara Pummell, who was joined by her granddaughter and grandson-in-law Chelsey and Sam Thompson, along with their two sons – Roen and Oren.
Clara said Roen, 2, was at Moments of Christmas Magic for the second time and was “happy to be here.”
“I think it’s awesome,” she said of having the event in Shelby. “I was born and raised here.”
She added that Shelby is “a beautiful town.”
“I’d recommend it to anyone who likes small-town living,” she said.
Amidst the day’s activities was Shelby’s Holiday Parade, which stepped off at 2:30 p.m., traveling west on Main Street, north on Gamble Street, and east on Whitney Avenue.
Santa rode in a Shelby Fire Department truck and then came to the gazebo on Main St. to meet children for pictures and ask them what they’d like for Christmas.
Shortly after 5 p.m. the Ashland Railway Polar X-Press pulled into town, bringing with it Mr. and Mrs. Claus, elves, and the Polar X-Press Conductor.
The large crowd gathered in the field across from Central Gymnasium on High School Ave. and watched as the train came to a stop on the tracks and unloaded its precious cargo.
The conductor then made his way to the stage that was setup at the field and read Chris Van Allsburg’s “The Polar Express.” He was joined on stage by Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Shelby Police Department Sergeant Aaron Bushey said every year the Moments of Christmas Magic gets bigger.
“We’re seeing more participation – not only from the businesses but also the community and surrounding communities – and I think it’s great,” he said. “I hope next year, there’s even more people.
“Any time we’re around the holidays, it’s just great to see people come together and celebrate the holidays with their friends and family.”
Social media users were encouraged to add pictures from this year’s event on Facebook and include the hashtag #SABG and #shelbypolarexpress.
For more information about the SABG, visit its Facebook page.
