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WILKES-BARRE — Children lined blocks of Carey Avenue as they watched Santa Claus hitch a ride to Firwood Park in a green train, cheering and waving as he took his seat on a large wooden platform.

The District A Fund held its annual Santa in the Park event Saturday, bringing hundreds of families from South Wilkes-Barre and beyond to partake in some free activities.

Based in South Wilkes-Barre, the District A Fund promotes safety, cleanliness and community involvement in the area it serves.

The fund has been hosting the event for about a decade, according to committee member Rick Gazenski. Anticipating for about 400 families to make their way through the park, Gazenski said i’ts been wonderful to see how the event has grown over the years.

“We have wonderful, wonderful businesses that just contribute so much to us every year,” he said, noting Geisinger South Wilkes-Barre, McCarthy Tire and Mericle as some of this year’s sponsors. “We just have so many small businesses that contribute. Every bit helps.”

Families were able to have their photo taken with Santa courtesy of FotoFink Photography, then grab a variety of gifts and treats that included a winter hat, an art kit, coupons to McDonald’s and Burger King and tickets to a Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins hockey game.

Candy, coffee and over 20 dozen hand-baked cookies were there for attendees as well, along with free face-painting and a chance to win a new bicycle.

Two-year-old Exodus DeFreitas was nothing but smiles as his mother, Falon Gronski, placed him upon Santa’s lap for his picture. Gronski said she brings her children to the event each year, adding that it’s nice to have something so close to home.

“It’s nice, it’s cute for the children,” she said as she made her way through the line. “We do a lot of activities in the area.”

As children played with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins mascot Tux, others took a moment to pet a furry friend.

Wilkes-Barre resident and Firwood Neighborhood Residents Association member Karen Komorek brought her Labrador retriever, Heidi, to the event as one of Santa’s little helpers.

“She wore this last year in the Christmas parade, so I had to get it back out again,” she said of the pup’s elf costume.

For Stacy Wozneck, attending the Firwood Park event has become a family tradition.

This year, the Wilkes-Barre resident brought her son, niece and nephew for some holiday cheer. As the children showed off their face paint, Wozneck commended the fund on how nice the event has become.

“When I was a kid it was Santa on a park bench and you got a popcorn ball,” she said. “It’s so much better now. To get the kids to come out to do something fun, it’s the experience that counts.”

Parents and children wait in line along Carey Avenue in Wilkes-Barre for the arrival of Santa at Santa in the Park on Saturday.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/web1_TTL120819SantaInThePark-MK_4.jpg.optimal.jpgParents and children wait in line along Carey Avenue in Wilkes-Barre for the arrival of Santa at Santa in the Park on Saturday. Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader

Santa Claus rides a train on Old River Road in Wilkes-Barre to Firwood Park for the annual Santa in the Park on Saturday.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/web1_TTL120819SantaInThePark-MK_1.jpg.optimal.jpgSanta Claus rides a train on Old River Road in Wilkes-Barre to Firwood Park for the annual Santa in the Park on Saturday. Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader

Isabella Brotzman, 7, of Wilkes-Barre, visits with Santa at Santa in the Park in Wilkes-Barre on Saturday.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/web1_TTL120819SantaInThePark-MK_2.jpg.optimal.jpgIsabella Brotzman, 7, of Wilkes-Barre, visits with Santa at Santa in the Park in Wilkes-Barre on Saturday. Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader

Shirley Torna, of Wilkes-Barre, waits in line wearing her Santa hat at Santa in the Park on Saturday.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/web1_TTL120819SantaInThePark-MK_3.jpg.optimal.jpgShirley Torna, of Wilkes-Barre, waits in line wearing her Santa hat at Santa in the Park on Saturday. Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader

Santa arrives at Firwood Park in Wilkes-Barre for the annual Santa in the Park on Saturday.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/web1_TTL120819SantaInThePark-MK_5.jpg.optimal.jpgSanta arrives at Firwood Park in Wilkes-Barre for the annual Santa in the Park on Saturday. Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader

By Marcella Kester

For Times Leader