Cole saves kids from coal

Every year during the holidays, children line up to sit on Santa’s lap and share what they want most for Christmas. For the past four years John Cole has volunteered to play the role of Santa for the Town of Haymarket. Cole is vice mayor of the Haymarket Town Council.

When he found out, a few years back, Santa needed help staffing a Haymarket area, Cole told the big man he’d help out. Cole continues to help out; Santa tapped Exit Realty of Haymarket to provide the suit, but Cole supplies the padding to give him the look of Santa.

“At first I thought ‘Oh no, what does Santa do?’” Cole said. The big man trusted him to figure it out, so Cole researched Santa a bit so he’d know what to ask the children.

The Haymarket Christmas festivities are planned for Dec 3 in front of and inside town hall.

Cole said he and Santa sure hope many locals stop by to visit and enjoy the festivities. Visitors can feel free to bring nonperishable food items for donation to the Haymarket Food Pantry or gifts for troops overseas.

There will be plenty to do and see for all ages, including lighting of the Christmas tree, children singing carols, a bonfire, the “taste of Haymarket” food sampling provided by local restaurants, and of course, Santa Clause.

More information is online: http://www.townofhaymarket.org.

Read the full story in the Nov. 25 issue of the Bull Run Observer.