PIKE CREEK, Del. – Thousands of people have attended New Castle County’s various holiday events in December as the Christmas holiday approaches, including Christmas tree lightings at Glasgow Park, Carousel Park and the Christmas celebration in Old New Castle.
On Sunday, County Executive Tom Gordon introduced Santa Claus and his elves to the applause of hundreds of children and parents waiting for Santa in the Western Village located in the middle of Carousel.
Among those who visited Santa were Hockessin resident Dr. Gordon DiRenzo, a retired University of Delaware professor, with his wife, Mary; daughter, Maria; and grandchildren Reese, Rory, Ryan, and Ridley.
“We’re here to see Santa, and we’re very grateful to be here in the park,” Dr. DiRenzo said. “The Gordon administration has done a great job for the kids, the people, and the park. That’s what it’s all about and we just love it.”
After Carousel, County Executive Gordon participated in the Elsmere Christmas Parade with New Castle County Councilman Joe Reda.
On Saturday, County Executive Gordon and New Castle County Police Chief Col. Elmer Setting participated in Historic New Castle's 13th annual Celebration of the Spirit of Christmas. There, they signed copies of the Arcadia book, “New Castle County Police Department”, in the New Castle Court House at the request of Cynthia Snyder, site manager for this State of Delaware museum.
Each year, New Castle's Christmas celebration dedicates the Court House tree to a special group or organization, said Cynthia Snyder, Site Manager of the New Castle Court House. This year, the New Castle County Police Department was selected because of its 100th anniversary of service.
“It was a wonderful event today and a great place to display the history of the County Police in the Old Court House,” County Executive Gordon said. “A lot of people attended. We had Christmas spirit and people singing. We had a wonderful time.”