DODGE CITY, Ala. – Friday night marked the opening of Dodge City’s sixth annual Christmas in the Park. Visitors can come to Perry Ray Park every week until Christmas to see Santa and enjoy free snacks and drinks at Santa’s Toy Shop.
Park visitors can enjoy the landscape, walk along the creek to the waterfall, rent out the pavilion (which has been thoroughly decked out), or wait until dark to take in the lights strung up around the area – from the walking trail to the pavilion to the light tree to the starry forest.
Mayor Tawana Canada is pleased with the way the tradition has been received over the years, saying that by 6:30 Friday evening, the turnout had already surpassed that of the event’s first year.
“We try to add a little every year,” she said. “I know it’s not like Sportsman Lake or anything, but ours is a free place to come and bring the kids to be one-on-one with Santa.”
Canada said the celebration gets more and more visitors each year, some even coming from as far as Birmingham or Fultondale for the peaceful atmosphere.
Perry Ray Park is located at the end of Howard Circle, just past Dodge City Town Hall. Santa’s Toy Shop is located near the Loyal White Memorial Pavilion, and will be open every Friday and Saturday night from 6-9 p.m. until Christmas (except in cases of inclement weather).
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