The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Santa Nights, Lights on the Lake have holiday festivities in full gear
With the wrap-up of Waterfront Winterfest on Nov. 25, holiday events are officially underway in Lorain with the take-off of Lights on the Lake and Santa Nights at Lakeview at Lakeview Park on West Erie Avenue.
Lakeview Park, operated by the Lorain County Metro Parks, is known for its rose garden and busy summers by the lake side.
The park also attracts cars that drive by for its holiday decorations that light the park up around Thanksgiving and last until the end of December.
Jadie Showalter, who is the Metro Parks’ recreation specialist at Lakeview and helps with the events at the park throughout the year. She has been a Metro Parks member since 2011.
Showalter also does aquatics at the park, Mercy Health and Recreation, 47160 Hollstein Drive in Amherst, and at Splashzone Aquatic Center, 95 W. Hamilton St. in Oberlin.
All are welcome to enjoy Lights on the Lake with each candy cane, swan, Santa and holiday light display one can think of that decorates the park, every night throughout the event’s duration, she said.
However, on selected nights throughout the months of November and December, children and their families are invited by the Metro Parks to enjoy the lights in the park and to meet Santa in the Lakeside Terrace for Santa Nights at Lakeview.
During these events, children can celebrate the holidays with cookies, hot chocolate, holiday music, crafts and more.
When not at other facilities, Showalter spends most of her time at Lakeview, especially during the Holiday tradition that has been with Lakeview and Lorain for years.
She said that since she has been with the Metro Parks and at Lakeview, it’s an event that brings in many children and families and will leave them walking out happy.
“Everyone seems to really enjoy it,” Showalter said. “Santa and Mrs. Clause are great with the kids and (the children) enjoy having and creating holiday cookies along with their holiday crafts.”
Santa and Mrs. Clause visit Lakeview for Santa Nights at Lakeview for six nights during the weekend, and there is no cost to attend, she said.
The next Santa Nights at Lakeview are from 5 to 7 p.m. Nov. 29, Dec. 2, 3, 6 and 8.
Mary Moore, a former Cleveland resident who recently moved to Lorain, said Nov. 26 was her first time attending Santa Nights at Lakeview and seeing the light displays at the park.
Moore, who brought her son, Emanuel, 9, to the event, said it’s a tradition to attend the tree lighting in downtown Cleveland and seeing Tower City while doing some sightseeing around the city.
Much of the holiday festivities are still new to her family and son, she said.
Moore said participating in anything in Lorain County is new to them because they like to stay in Cleveland since it’s home.
After hearing about the holiday events at Lakeview and having the lights capture her attention, she said she decided to see what Lorain has to offer.
“It’s different and gives me a whole different view of Lorain,” Moore said.
“This adds a lot of light to the city. It’s really nice down here.”
Emanuel said he really enjoyed the holiday cookies and couldn’t wait to tell Santa what he wanted for Christmas.
“Everyone seems to really enjoy it. Santa and Mrs. Clause are great with the kids and (the children) enjoy having and creating holiday cookies along with their holiday crafts.” — Jadie Showalter, who is the Metro Parks’ recreation specialist at Lakeview