AURELIUS - A long, winding line of hundreds of children and their parents stretched from the Bass Pro Shop lobby to the glittering, snow-covered tree tops of Santa's Wonderland.
The outdoor sporting goods chain held its preview event for the holiday season Sunday, with a number of one-time spectacles and also some activities that will continue throughout the season.
Santa arrived at 3 p.m. outside the store in a boat that was towed behind a truck, said Lindsey Tidd, the store's events coordinator. His arrival marked the kickoff of more than a month of photos with Santa, arcade games, coloring, writing letters to Santa, carolers and arts and crafts - all free.
“Bass Pro Shops wants to provide a fun family atmosphere,” said Tidd. “We want to take it back to basics. We want Christmas to be like it used to be so families can come into a department store and enjoy Santa and activities for free. They don't have to pay and arm and a leg.”
Tidd said that a classic Christmas feeling was the theme of the event and that doing it for free means visitors don't have to worry about how much money they will need to spend - especially during the recession.
Jeff Burdick, the store's general manager, said this year's season drew 2,900 visitors by 4 p.m.
The whole scene took Bass Pro Shops employees nearly two weeks to complete. Twenty extra staff members were hired to build and run the wonderland area, said Burdick.
Burdick said Santa and the activities ensures that children traveling with their parents will also have something to do that interests them and preserves the tradition of Christmas.
“We want to put the meaning back into Christmas,” said Burdick. “This is more of a nostalgic Christmas look; it's not so commercialized.”
A different arts and crafts project will be offered each weekend until Dec. 20 at Santa's Wonderland. Santa will be at Bass Pro Shops from 5 to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, from noon to 9 p.m. Saturdays and from noon to 6 p.m. Sundays, said Burdick. He will keep this schedule until Christmas Eve.
Auburn resident Debby Springstead brought her 3-year-old daughter, Kara, to the preview event. Kara said she would ask Santa for a baby doll.
“My daughter wanted to see Santa,” said Springstead. “She loves to do arts and crafts.”
Lauren Smith, also of Auburn, brought her 7-year-old daughter, Marissa, and her 1-year-old son, Greg, to see Santa.
“I wanted to play games,” said Marissa. “I kind of want (from Santa) a little baby doll that potties and cries,”
Lonna and Roger Vrooman, of Owasco, brought their three sons, 3-year-old Adam, 7-year-old Lucas and 12-year-old Eric to play games and see Santa.
“It covers all the age groups,” said Lonna Vrooman. “It's a one-stop shop for the whole span of ages. Each of them can find something to do that makes them happy and they can have fun.”
Staff writer Kelly Voll can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 239 or kelly.voll@lee.net
Santa arrived at 3 p.m. outside the store in a boat that was towed behind a truck, said Lindsey Tidd, the store's events coordinator. His arrival marked the kickoff of more than a month of photos with Santa, arcade games, coloring, writing letters to Santa, carolers and arts and crafts - all free.
“Bass Pro Shops wants to provide a fun family atmosphere,” said Tidd. “We want to take it back to basics. We want Christmas to be like it used to be so families can come into a department store and enjoy Santa and activities for free. They don't have to pay and arm and a leg.”
Tidd said that a classic Christmas feeling was the theme of the event and that doing it for free means visitors don't have to worry about how much money they will need to spend - especially during the recession.
Jeff Burdick, the store's general manager, said this year's season drew 2,900 visitors by 4 p.m.
The whole scene took Bass Pro Shops employees nearly two weeks to complete. Twenty extra staff members were hired to build and run the wonderland area, said Burdick.
Burdick said Santa and the activities ensures that children traveling with their parents will also have something to do that interests them and preserves the tradition of Christmas.
“We want to put the meaning back into Christmas,” said Burdick. “This is more of a nostalgic Christmas look; it's not so commercialized.”
A different arts and crafts project will be offered each weekend until Dec. 20 at Santa's Wonderland. Santa will be at Bass Pro Shops from 5 to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, from noon to 9 p.m. Saturdays and from noon to 6 p.m. Sundays, said Burdick. He will keep this schedule until Christmas Eve.
Auburn resident Debby Springstead brought her 3-year-old daughter, Kara, to the preview event. Kara said she would ask Santa for a baby doll.
“My daughter wanted to see Santa,” said Springstead. “She loves to do arts and crafts.”
Lauren Smith, also of Auburn, brought her 7-year-old daughter, Marissa, and her 1-year-old son, Greg, to see Santa.
“I wanted to play games,” said Marissa. “I kind of want (from Santa) a little baby doll that potties and cries,”
Lonna and Roger Vrooman, of Owasco, brought their three sons, 3-year-old Adam, 7-year-old Lucas and 12-year-old Eric to play games and see Santa.
“It covers all the age groups,” said Lonna Vrooman. “It's a one-stop shop for the whole span of ages. Each of them can find something to do that makes them happy and they can have fun.”
Staff writer Kelly Voll can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 239 or kelly.voll@lee.net
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