Christmas in the Park brings cheer to Bakersfield
Little Mr. and Miss Merry Christmas Parker Robinson and Tera Watts were crowned Little Mr. and Miss Merry Christmas, much to Santa’s delight, at Bakersfield’s Christmas in the Park celebration Saturday.
Miss and Mr. Snowflake Miley Edens and Austin Durham were crowned Miss and Mr. Snowflake at Bakersfield’s Christmas in the Park celebration Saturday.
Miss and Mr. Merry Christmas Kasay Kimmel and Brady Russell were crowned Mr. and Miss Merry Christmas at Bakersfield’s Christmas in the Park celebration Saturday.
The Bakersfield Festival Committee hosted Christmas in the Park at Pride Park in Bakersfield Saturday. The outdoor event was well attended in spite of changes and cancellations due to covid concerns, according to committee member Kristi Edens. “There weren’t near as many people as we usually have when we have Breakfast with Santa, but under these circumstances, we had a good turnout!” she said.
Several vendors set up, including the seventh grade’s Santa’s Candy Shop, which boasted an assortment of homemade Christmas candy and cookies. Shoppers also enjoyed the Hollis Tree Farm’s assortment of live Christmas trees, an antique and craft booth, Tadpole Daycare’s booth and the Chill Out Shack food trailer that sold chili, hot chocolate, cotton candy, caramel apples and other tasty treats.
The Bakersfield Volunteer Fire Department brought a fire truck and handed out treats to children. Air Evac landed a helicopter for people to see and had personnel on hand to answer questions.
Later in the afternoon, Bakersfield Christmas royalty was crowned at the annual pageant. Parker Robinson and Tera Watts were crowned Little Mr. and Miss Merry Christmas, Miley Edens and Austin Durham were crowned Miss and Mr. Snowflake, and Kasay Kimmel and Brady Russell were crowned Mr. and Miss Merry Christmas.
Children could see Santa from a distance but weren’t able to sit on his lap, so Christmas elves set up a special table for children to write letters to Santa. “Even with a social-distanced Santa, the kids all seemed to enjoy it,” Edens said.
In addition to Edens, Bakersfield festival committee members include Brian Russell, Andrea Russell, Jonathon Lashley, Leigha Lashley, Heather Smith, Dianna Stover, Kelly Marsh, Lacey Dye, Amy Britt, Melba Mullins, Carol Durham and Richard Chamberlin.