Kim Caraway named St. Nick
Hundreds of Christmas on the River revelers tried out holographic glasses Thursday night as trees outlined in lights illuminated the Public Square.
A live Nativity scene, a procession of lanterns, singing from students and the reading of a version of the Christmas story preceded the introduction of the 2019 St. Nicholas, Kim Caraway.
The crowd gathered in the darkened park, and many of them purchased the special glasses that turn lights into images of trees, gifts, reindeer, Santas and gingerbread men. When the lights came on, delighted cries could be heard around the park.
Children from Westside Elementary School’s Extended Day Program processed into the park with the lighted lanterns they had made, led by the 2018 St. Nicholas, Kirk Brooker. WES second-graders sang several holiday songs before the introduction of the COTR queens and their courts and the COTR elves. The Rev. Ashford Jackson read the Christmas story.
Caraway was chosen from a record 15 nominees for St. Nicholas. The honor is given to a person who best portrays the spirit of Christmas all year long. She is the 31st St. Nicholas to preside over COTR.
At the end of the festivities, many of the crowd walked along Washington Street to the Public Library for refreshments and a visit with Santa Claus.