Swoosh! Santa sweeps in via chopper to greet Light Up Brookhaven guests

Over 2,500 gather in Blackburn Park for annual event

Brookhaven, GA, Dec. 5, 2019 -- Hundreds of Brookhaven “kids” of all ages ushered in the holiday season at the annual Light Up Brookhaven held Wednesday, Dec. 4, at Blackburn Park. Awaiting Santa’s dramatic arrival by helicopter, guests were entertained by a stocking full of activities.

Park officials estimate nearly 2,500+ were on hand to slide down a snow slope, pose with live reindeer, make an assortment of holiday crafts, dine out on food truck fare and sing along with live choral and band performances on stage. Of course, Santa spent nearly two hours posing with each child as they whispered Christmas wishes in his ear!

“This was one of the best Light Up Brookhaven events ever,” noted Brookhaven Mayor John Ernst. “It is great to see more and more people come to this event each year. It is one of my favorite annual traditions.” Ernst was joined on stage throughout the evening by City Council members Linley Jones, Bates Mattison and John Park who helped host the event.

Thanking the crowd for their participation and support, Councilwoman Jones welcomed the crowd and reminded them that Blackburn Park is home to many other events throughout the year such as the Cherry Blossom Festival, annual Easter Egg Scramble, Food Truck Wednesdays, Touch A Truck and a myriad of other activities. Blackburn is one of the shining stars in District 1, represented by Jones. “This was a truly wonderful event for our City,” said Jones. “We are especially grateful for our great sponsors this year including Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA) and Gunnison Tree Specialists.”

Also sending holiday greetings to the crowds were Rabbi Brian Glusman from the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta and Pastor Darreius Moore from the China Grove Missionary Baptist Church.

Excitement built to a crescendo in anticipation of the lighting of the City’s 40’ Christmas tree and menorah. Helping flip the switch were Will and Kaitlin Hammill and their family. Their young daughter, Kennedy, was born with multiple heart defects and underwent four cardiac catheterizations followed by open heart surgery, all at CHOA, before she had her first birthday. The now three-year-old was there to celebrate this magical season by helping Light Up Brookhaven!  The Hammills were accompanied by CHOA mascots Hope and Will.

Entertainment center stage was a showcase of Brookhaven’s cultural diversity. “We are a tapestry of many cultures and backgrounds,” added Ernst. “There are two things that all of us have in common: 1) We all call Brookhaven “home” and 2) We are all welcome here in Brookhaven.” Performers for the evening included Latino singers and band from Christ the King Cathedral whose repertoire included Feliz Navidad, Woodward Academy, the chorus of Mision de Cristo Rey, traditional Jewish songs from The Weber School students, and a rousing finale from The Marist singers that included White Christmas and Jingle Bells.

Two of the more popular spots with the youngsters were the arts and crafts tent featuring a variety of activities including coloring Christmas scenes and characters like Rudolph and Frosty, ornament making and even a doughnut eating contest a la dunking for apples where doughnuts were hung from a string while kids, hands behind their backs, labored to take a bite! Not far away, another favorite was the snow slope, packed with freshly ground ice, that allowed everyone to slip ‘n slide the evening away.

All of these activities were fueled with the help of a line of food trucks offering holiday goodies at a nominal cost, including Gyro Chef, Lil Bites, Yumbii, and Petite Rendevous Creperie.  To take the chill off a cool December evening, the Girl Scouts offered hot chocolate, also for a small charge, as a holiday fundraising project.

Guests were encouraged to bring a toy for the annual Toys for Tots campaign, a holiday staple, and Marine Corps representatives were on hand collecting unwrapped toys to help those less fortunate celebrate the season.

More Light Up Brookhaven scenes…