Published: December 01, 2008 11:29 am            

Excited kids line up to greet Santa

A fresh blanket of snow, along with hundreds of people welcomed Santa Claus’ arrival at his house in front of the former Effingham County Courthouse during Effingham Central Business Group’s annual Old-Fashioned Christmas Sunday afternoon.

The crowd began to cheer as they heard the telltale signs of the Caledonia Fire Truck sirens carrying Santa. After departing from his ride, Santa worked the crowd and made his way to his home, where a long line stretched around the courthouse lawn.

Toby and Kay McMahon and their family were some of the first people in line to visit Santa, much as they have been for generations.

“My mother-in-law brought her little sister here for 45 years. Now the oldest grandchild is 25, and we’ve still been here every year first in line,” Kay McMahon said.

Seventeen members of the McMahon family made the trek downtown on Sunday, including 22-year-old Melissa McMahon.

“We would get here early because we would want to be first in line, and I remember we would play in the pavilion. It’s the biggest day of the year other than Christmas,” she said.

Many people who were waiting outside rushed to the stand where Dave and Liz Behl of Teutopolis were handing out free hot chocolate and coffee provided by Effingham Central Business Group.

“We’ve served hot chocolate for the past eight or nine years. There’s always a big turnout for this. Last year, the weather was miserable and there was still a big turnout. It may be a little bigger this year,” Dave Behl said, adding his favorite part of the day is seeing the kids’ smiles as they come out of Santa’s house.

Inside, the old courthouse was bustling with activities as well. Families could have a free Christmas picture taken, plant a winter garden, interact with members of the Effingham County Historical Society dressed up in costume and make a candy house with graham crackers, peppermints, marshmallows and gum drops.

Jenny Kowalke of Effingham enjoyed a Christmas sing-a-long.

“It was good. It’s our first year, and we went on a buggy ride and saw Santa. We got to wave at the cars going by during the buggy ride,” she said.

Kowalke said her 2-year-old daughter Emily wasn’t excited when she saw Santa, but she did perk up when she heard “The Polar Express” was going to be read during Christmas Story Time.

The book “Jingle Bells” also was read, which told the story of how Christmas is celebrated in other countries. For example, children in Mexico break pinatas and Polish children begin their Christmas dinner when someone spots the first star of the night.

Chris Adams and her children also visited Santa and received gingerbread bears. However, the visit was rather quiet.

“They went, but they didn’t say anything,” she said.

“I didn’t know what I wanted!” Chris’ daughter Kimberly replied.

Angie Faller can be reached at 217-347-7151 ext. 131 or angie.faller@effinghamdailynews.com.