Santa Visits Marco Island Academy

After enjoying Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday with family and friends, the holiday tradition of eating leftovers is certainly a must for the day-after. Some families even squeeze in a little Black Friday shopping, while others find an hour or two to spend at the beach. On Friday evening, all this running around may be followed up by bringing the kids to see Santa’s arrival on Marco Island and taking a cherished family photo with him.

All year long, the Christmas Island Style Committee (CIS) prepared for Santa’s arrival, which kicks off the island’s many holiday events. On Friday, CIS welcomed a throng of excited children, parents and grandparents on what has become a Marco Island tradition for over 30 years.

This year, the event was hosted by the staff and students of Marco Island Academy (MIA), at their sparkling new campus on San Marco Road. MIA Principal Melissa Scott seemed as excited as the children and their parents when Santa and Mrs. Claus arrived at the campus sharply at 6 PM for an evening of fun and pictures. The Clauses arrived in grand style, in a 70,000-pound Marco Island Fire Rescue Department fire truck.

Upon their arrival, Santa and Mrs. Claus were escorted to their places of honor at the bottom of a winding staircase that leads to the second floor of the newly constructed building. The bannisters were specially decorated by the MIA students in honor of the inaugural visit by these two Christmas celebrities. “This is such a wonderful backdrop for me to shoot,” said photographer John Cavanagh, a volunteer with the Christmas Island Style Committee. Visitors and guests were provided with an instruction card so they could log in to the CIS website and download their photographs for free.

The evening went smoothly, as each child hopped up onto Santa’s lap. Parents stood proudly behind the guests of honor, while their children chatted with these special visitors from the North Pole. Another celebrity in her own right, Police Chief Tracy Frazzano, came bearing gifts for the children, who gleefully accepted special Marco Island Police Department badges. MIA students presented Chief Frazzano with a Marco Island Academy Ray’s t-shirt, which she accepted and then happily wore for a photo-op with them.

Upcoming Events

The next two Christmas events sponsored by CIS will be the Annual Christmas Tree Lighting on December 4 at Mackle Park beginning at 6pm. No parking will be allowed on the field at Mackle Park, but parking will be available in the parking lot and along Leland Way (where drivers may back their vehicles into the swale areas). Bring a lawn chair and sit in the field to enjoy the entertainment and the evening’s event.

On Tuesday, December 7, everyone is invited to The Esplanade, where CJ’s on the Bay will host the Annual Christmas Canine Pet Parade. The event begins at 5:30 PM, and attendees are invited to bring their canine pets in festive costumes for the parade and judging. There is no charge and pet owners are welcome to be appropriately attired with their four-legged friends. All animals must be leashed.

Visit www.christmasislandstyle.com for more information regarding events throughout the holiday season.