County Executive Thomas P. Gordon and Councilman Timothy P. Sheldon invite residents and guests to the third annual “Visit Santa and His Pony” event this Saturday at Carousel Park & Equestrian Center in Pike Creek.
“It’s going to be beautiful weather,” said Gordon, who will introduce Santa at 11 a.m.
The free event runs to 3 p.m. Parents are encouraged to bring cameras to take pictures of children’s Santa visits. Ponies also will help give out candy canes and small gifts.
Guests will have the chance to meet the Clydesdale horses of the New Castle County Police Department that live at the park and see animals in the Kids’ Corral, including rabbits, chickens, goats, donkeys, peacocks and camel-like alpacas.
There will be three separate craft stations with one hosted by Hagley Museum. Entertainment also features hayrides and performance by the Elbert-Palmer Elementary School Percussion Ensemble. Free refreshments, courtesy of Kenney Family Foundation, will be served.
“Carousel has drawn a huge turnout for all the events held there this year,” Sheldon said, and Saturday’s activities are expected to draw a big crowd. He and County Councilwoman Janet Kilpatrick recently discussed the holiday event’s growing popularity on NCCTV’s Spotlight on New Castle County with Melody Kitchen.
Although admission is free, donations of canned goods will be collected for the Food Bank of Delaware. New hats, gloves and mittens also may be donated for distribution to the needy.
Carousel Park & Equestrian Center is located at 3700 Limestone Road (Del. 7) in Pike Creek.