Fewer turn out for sale, but Santa and Mrs. Claus still stars of the party
Staff writer
Fewer people turned out for a Jingle Junk sale at Marion’s Community Center this year but Santa and Mrs. Santa were still stars Saturday during its Holly Jolly Christmas celebrations.
Gene Winkler, who provided music for the event, said it was well attended despite COVID-19 concerns.
“I think it was great,” he said. “There were people around most of the day, especially in the morning.”
Larry and Barb Smith portrayed Santa and Mrs. Claus at Marion City Library and gave sleigh rides to children in the afternoon.
“They were running for about two hours straight,” Winkler said. “They had to run straight home and eat to be in time for the parade. They were full during the time they were there.”
Many of the city’s stores held doorbuster sales and had prizes for shoppers, but Mike Beneke decided to play Santa by handing out cash in a drawing.
The money was supposed to pay for carriage rides around Commercial Dr., but the driver canceled.
Lucky winners were Ronnie Hanschu, Walter Hein, Samantha Turk, Margaret Tice, Malinda Caulk, Sharon Kelsey, Kinsley Lespagnard, Greg Avant, Cindy Vinduska, and Ida Finch.