What do Santa and the Mahanay Memorial Carillon tower have in common?
They both have red lights. For Santa, it’s Rudolph’s red nose. For the bell tower, it’s the flashing lights at the top. The Greene County Chamber board and staff have insider information that the red lights at the top of the bell tower make it one of Santa’s very favorite places.
Where’s the proof? Well, Santa suggested to the Chamber board that he’d like to help more families enjoy a ride to the top of the tower, and rather than risk getting put on the Naughty list, the Chamber board talked with bell tower coordinator Pat Richards and devised a plan.
Every child who visits Santa in Jefferson Saturdays, Dec. 12 and 19, will get a ticket for a free ride to the top of the tower. Children can ride to the top of the tower free any time, but Santa’s tickets are for a grown-up to ride with the child. The special Santa tickets will be redeemable only those two Saturdays between 10 am and 2 pm, and there must be a child with the adult using the ticket.
Santa Claus will be in his Greene County Winter Wonderland in the Masonic lodge (formerly Figenshaw Furniture) on the west side of the courthouse square from 10 am to noon. “I think it would be a great tradition for children to come visit me and then take their parents to the top of the bell tower. Some people have told me that on a really clear day, they can just about see the North Pole from the top of the tower. Who knows…. maybe you’ll see the reindeer out doing training laps,” Santa said.
