Santa, Mrs. Claus help light city tree

By Michele Hester
mhester@dawsonnews.com

With the grand tree outside city hall lit, it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Dawsonville.

Santa and Mrs. Claus arrived just in time Friday night to join in the annual lighting of the municipal Christmas tree.

After a dozen or so hugs from anxious children and a cup of cider to ease the seasonal chill, Santa made his way to the Gordon Pirkle Room at the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame.

There, he greeted the line of admirers waiting to visit with him.

Among the first was Trinity Dilling, 2, who asked Santa for a doll with a pacifier and a kitten.

Also there was 4-year-old Ethan Owen, who was on his best behavior for the special event.

"I've been so good all year, every day, all year," he said.

Brianna Bolton volunteered to help with the crowd, which began lining up at 5 p.m. to share with Santa their Christmas wishes and have a complimentary photo taken.

While Bolton admitted she enjoys receiving gifts, she said giving makes her feel like a million dollars.

"I've been working to buy my friends presents," the 12-year-old said. "It's not always about yourself.

"I try my best during the holidays to think about others who may not get what I get."

Ten-year-old sisters Piper and Maggie Wright said they like the presents too, but know that Christmas is about much more.

"Christmas is about Jesus and how he was born and how he died for us. That's what Christmas is about," Maggie Wright said.