South End Neighborhood Group Hosts Christmas Show For Kids

SEA ISLE CITY – Children’s hearts were filled with the Christmas spirit during the South End Neighborhood Association’s annual Christmas show with Santa at the Townsends Inlet Civic Center on Dec. 3. The event, which was a delight for the young and old, was highlighted by holiday music, treats for the kids and plenty of Christmas cheer.
As families approached the civic center on 85th Street, they peered into the building’s front windows to view several Christmas scenes featuring mechanical characters in classic holiday settings. Then, once inside, everyone enjoyed a table filled with sweets and other refreshments before settling in front of the civic center’s gold-trimmed stage, an eye-catching feature inside the 122-year old structure. Soon, children were laughing in the aisles during a puppet show presented by Marianne and Tom Tucker of Tuckers’ Tales, who entertained the audience with a lively holiday presentation.
After several sing-a-longs and a series of acts featuring puppets on a holiday quest, the children in the audience were brought to their feet by the announcement that Santa Claus was arriving. Moments later, the youngsters were face-to-face with the jolly-old-elf, who listened attentively as each child mentioned items on their Christmas wish-list. Then, with a ho-ho-ho and a wink of his eye, Santa handed-out toys and posed for photos.
“My 3-year-old daughter, Lena, had a great time,” said Nicole Frabosilio of Sea Isle City. “She loved the puppet show, which was very fun, and she was the first child to run-up and hug Santa Claus after he entered the civic center. In fact, that was the first time she met him face-to-face. Lena is now old enough to appreciate Christmas, and we think this will be the first holiday that she will remember when she is older.”