By DON FLETCHER
News Staff Writer
A crowd estimated at nearly 500, most of them wide-eyed youngsters, flocked to Heritage Park on Saturday, December 7, to enjoy Atmore Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual Santa in the Park event.
A line that kept growing extended from the front of Atmore Welcome Center to the park’s lighted tunnel as eager children and their parents waited for a photo with Santa, who arrived by train, with Carney the Dog driving and a police escort, around 4:30 p.m.
After a brief moment on Santa’s lap, many went immediately to have their photo taken with Carney, the event’s mascot. Others lined up for rides on the miniature train, which was decorated with lights for the event.
Families also enjoyed rides through the area around the park on the miniature train that had earlier brought Santa.
Children of younger years made reindeer food and wrote and mailed letters to Santa.