Santa appears surprised by some of the items, that included a tree house, that Emma Fortune told him she wants for Christmas (Steve Herring|mountolivetribune.com)
Brothers Abel Levi, left, and Joseph Levi of Goldsboro were among those roasting marshmallows (Steve Herring|mountolivetribune.com)
Twins Nancy Merrill, left, and Philip Merrill, 4, enjoy getting a close-up look at the town of Mount Olive’s Christmas tree (Steve Herring|mountolivetribune.com)
Billie Jo Lambert, second from left, helps her granddaughters, from left, Johanna Carter, 10, Taylor Hanchey, 4, and Kylie Carter, 11, decorate cookies (Steve Herring|mountolivetribune.com)
Julie Beck, president of the Mount Olive Area Chamber of Commerce president, talks about Friday night events during the town’s Christmas Open House and Tree Lighting. In the background is the town Christmas tree that was lighted for the first time Friday night (Steve Herring|mountolivetribune.com)
A long line of children, young and old, stretched in front of the Southern Bank Parklet Friday night as they awaited their chance to talk to Santa and Mrs Claus during the town’s Christmas Open House/Tree Lighting.
The Friday night, Dec. 2, festivities, sponsored by the Mount Olive Area Chamber of Commerce, the town and Southern Bank, were held from 5:30 to 7 p.m. and were free to attend.
Those attending could try their hand at decorating cookies and roasting marshmallows and could write a letter to Santa and let him know what they would like for Christmas.
Santa will personally write back to each child who left their address.
