Published: 12/23/2019 4:16:43 PM
Louis Armstrong’s gravelly voice singing the refrain from that 1950s recording was all I could think of when I saw this frame from the Florence Holiday Parade. After the parade, Santa and Mrs. Claus hold court in the Florence Civic Center where they welcome everyone with hot chocolate and doughnuts. The line to see them this year stretched down the sidewalk and around the corner a good ways. After the first 30 or so people entered, filling the available space inside, the elf at the front door put a pause on the line — just as 3-year-old Beckham Tavares had topped the steps.
Now in pole position, Beckham took the opportunity to peek through the side windows for an early glimpse of Santa, but to no avail as the Jolly One was seated in a different room. When he did finally get an audience with Santa, Beckham made a perfect picture with his festive hat and an awesome pair of glasses that could have been taken directly from Ralphie in “A Christmas Story.”
— Text and photo by Kevin Gutting