First summer yule festival a success
BUTLER TWP -- Santa Claus, dressed in a Hawaiian shirt, swim trunks and flip-flops didn’t bring himself and Mrs. Claus to Preston Park in a sleigh Saturday.
“We got here by magic,” said Santa, who appeared to have a pretty decent tan for a guy who lives in the North Pole.
Santa and Mrs. Claus greeted young and old alike at the entrance to the Christmas in July Craft and Vendor Show held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, July 22, at Preston Park’s arboretum.
The huge trees at the event entrance were wrapped in red ribbon, Christmas classics blared from the balloon artist/juggler tent, and festive wreaths graced the pavilion in the arboretum.
Tom Knights, Butler Township manager, said the goal was to attract 300 people to the first-time event, and about 150 had come and gone by noon.
“It gives us insight to grow into a larger event next year,” he said.
Kids activities, a balloon artist, face painting, the Clauses and 13 vendors graced the park’s arboretum under a sunny sky.
“We have no weeklong event, so we decided to have a one-day event on park property where people can come out and patronize local vendors and see the park as well,” Knights said.
Maggie and Nathan Hinterberger, of Butler Township, brought their daughter, Sutton, 3, to Christmas in July.
Sutton was unsure of summertime Santa at first, but after he offered her a fist bump and small toy, she had a nice chat with the jolly old elf.
“We love Preston Park, so we thought it would be great to see what’s going on here today,” Maggie Hinterberger said. “It’s a beautiful day to get out and support the community.”
She said Sutton’s favorite features were the balloon animals, snow cones and kids games.
Vendors along the edge of the expansive arboretum included those selling birdhouses, pottery, jewelry, crystals, clothing, jelly and more.
“My mom heard about it and we are craft show fanatics,” said Lauren Thomas, of Center Township, who pushed her snoozing son, Parker, 6 months, in a stroller.
Thomas and her husband had their wedding pictures taken at the park in 2016, which makes the location more special to her than most patrons.
She said she normally shops for gifts for birthdays, Christmas and parties when she attends a craft and vendor show.
“We’re just going to enjoy the nice day,” Thomas said.
Jordan Grady, president of the Butler County Chamber of Commerce, said the chamber set up a tent at Christmas in July to spread awareness on the 2023 Leadership Butler County project and to offer information on the many businesses whose owners are members of the Chamber.
“I also like to get out to community events,” Grady said. “It’s a great opportunity to showcase at-home businesses and crafters, and it’s a good utilization of a beautiful public park.”
Dave Zarnick, a Butler Township commissioner, said he thought Christmas in July went very well for a first-time event.
“We are very pleased with the turnout for the event’s first time,” Zarnick said. “This can only get bigger and better in the future.”
