’Tis the season for Santa — and a zoo
Staff writer
Marion City Library was a hotbed of children and critters Saturday when 10 animals visited, and children happily stroked, petted, and talked to the animals.
Families were at the library a half hour before the 1 p.m. opening of the petting zoo, then clustered to see animals lined up on both sides of the display.
They eagerly told their parents the animals’ names and breeds.
On display were three miniature zebu cows, a miniature horse, a miniature Jerusalem donkey, an alpaca, a small llama, two baby pygmy goats, and one sheep.
The goats and the alpaca got a lot of attention, with children repeatedly stroking their fur and talking to them.
The animals were brought by Four Points Ranch Entertainment east of Augusta. City transient guest tax revenue was used to pay for the $1,000 visit.
The event was part of a day-long Christmas celebration sponsored by Marion merchants. It also included caroling elves wandering Main St. to serenade the crowd, a Christmas story walk, Christmas displays and an Elf on the Shelf hunt.
At various locations downtown, cookies, train rides, a cookie swap, face painting, ornament making, photos with Santa, hot chocolate, and a lighted Christmas parade were offered. Participants sang carols at Central Park, and watched alumni basketball games.