When I set out to photograph the 9th Annual Holiday on the Plaza event Saturday afternoon, I fully expected to walk around for a short while, head back home to warm up, and return for the tree-lighting ceremony at the end of the day. After photographing the event for the past several years, I wondered what new angle I could find to make this post a little different from earlier ones. As the afternoon progressed however, I found myself caught up in the moment(s), and couldn't tear myself away fearing I would miss something. What catches my eye each year is something I never tire of, watching children of all ages light up when they come in contact with the petting zoo, Santa Claus, and this year an opportunity to be photographed with a Budweiser Clydesdale.
CWE Event Planner Frances Thompson and the team from Dovetail Marketing meshed the kick-off for the Window Walk (yesterday's post), and Holiday on the Plaza together so seamlessly, it seemed to be all one big neighborhood holiday celebration. There were passersby who knew nothing about what was going on, and found themselves marveling at the array of activities and the number of children participating, a demographic some presumed is in short supply in this urban neighborhood.
I wasn't surprised that the dog found the rooster so interesting, but I was amazed that the children seemed so captivated by a common barnyard animal.
A baby rabbit was just the right size for tiny hands.
Don't worry, he wasn't eating the poinsettias, it's just the camera angle.
I didn't mean to stare but I just couldn't figure out what was inside the animal handler's (Suzy's Zoo) coat until I noticed the baby pig poking its snout out the top, above and below. He stayed tucked inside all afternoon long.
A "reindeer" pony was available for rides.
CWEnder Bill McGowan holding son Walter in the saddle while volunteer Eric Hamblett of Bazaarboy.com led the way.
Bissinger's, which was doing a brisk business Saturday afternoon, was the site for three performances by Bob Kramer's Marionnettes, above. Information on the neighborhood theater's holiday shows is here.
Home Depot was one of the sponsors of the Holiday Village Workshop.
Children were invited to make a tool box at the Home Depot table, above and below.
The Paul Mitchell School on Maryland Plaza offered curls for the day.
And Bowood Farms provided the makings for bird seed ornaments which will hang on a tree at Kennedy Park, located at the junction of Olive and Washington just west of Bowood Farms.
West End Word's advertising staffer Jackie Kodner Wagner, above, and Executive Editor Fran Mannino, not pictured, were volunteers in the Holiday Village Tent. The afternoon would not have gone as smoothly without the help of these amazing volunteers.
Another pair of stellar volunteers was the Central West End Association's Operations Manager Tom Topping, and board member Dixie Buford. Dixie welcomed all the talent that entertained the crowd throughout the afternoon.
Santa was busy taking notes. (I overheard a woman ask for a Mercedes Coupe…in white).
© Cole Bishop Photography
See more of Cole Bishop's fabulous photography of the day's events on the Bazaarboy.com link (I had the wrong link, sorry, please try again!). Thanks to the generous sponsors of the event: Barnes Jewish Hospital, West End Word, Central West End Association, Central West End Families & Friends, and Budweiser Clydesdales.