On Dec. 2 at 3:16 p.m., thousands of New Garden Township residents received an email from the township, informing them that its annual tree lighting festivities, originally scheduled for New Garden Township Park, were being moved to the township building on Starr Road due to a heavy rain forecast.

“Due to the inclement weather conditions, the helicopter that usually transports Santa Claus to the park wasn't able to fly, and the Weather Channel was predicting a 60 percent chance of rain, so [Assistant to the Township Manager] Kati Parlier and I had to make a decision by 2 p.m.,” said Township Manager Tony Scheivert. “We needed to keep everything in place and mobilized, and the event went great, despite the change of venue.”

Scheivert estimated the attendance at more than 500 people who began to arrive well before the 3:45 p.m. start time, filling the township building's parking lot and adjacent field and trudging through the murky conditions to enter the building. Once inside, families were treated to holiday snacks, cocoa and Santa Claus, who arrived at 4 p.m. as part of a police escort by members of the Southern Chester County Regional Police Department.

“Everyone seemed to be in such good spirits, despite our having to move the location,” Scheivert added. “We kept receiving thanks from everyone. Families showed great patience, in spite of the fact that many had to wait as long as 45 minutes to see Santa.”

To contact Staff Writer Richard L. Gaw, email [email protected].