SEBASTIAN — A plush-costumed Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer entertained the crowds as lines wound through the parking lot of Sebastian River Medical Center as if they were giving something away, and they were.
When the Sebastian River Area Chamber of Commerce’s 24th Annual Light Up Night commenced at 5:30 p.m., more than 250 people stood on queue to sample the hors d’oeuvres buffet of baked brie and raspberry, spring rolls, cocktail wieners in puff pastry, cruditès, cheesecake, caramel apple pie and punch.
The hospital was one of 44 stops on the event map published by the Chamber, each stop representing a local business, church or club that decorated and prepared refreshments for the migrating throng of locals and visitors who trekked from stop to stop to view the lights, take in the festive atmosphere and to taste the range of treats from sweet to savory.
At Sebastian River Medical Center, the food was going as fast as the department directors and hospital administrators could dish it out. As the dozens of chafing dishes ran low, a bevy of red-shirted staffers from the hospital’s food service department scurried out with more goodies to satiate the visitors.
Human Resources Director Kam Storey, who for decades has headed up many of the community outreach projects of the hospital, said “We do it for the sheer fun of spending time with the community.”
Chief Operating Officer Kelly Enriquez added that “Holiday time is such a great time for giving and sharing and it’s a great time for us to give back to the community.”
The next stop on the map for some was Sebastian United Methodist Church, where Santa and Mrs. Claus greeted the stream of people piling into Fellowship Hall.
The church is known to put out a good spread and this year didn’t disappoint, with pulled barbecue pork sandwiches, veggies, chips, spicy crackers, chips and dips, nuts and desserts. There was also entertainment for young and old, with a puppet show and an audience participation song where kids, parents and grandparents played numbered chimes as Mrs. Claus directed the ad-hoc ensemble.
Sharon Johnson of Barefoot Bay, who adeptly portrayed Mrs. Claus in a support role to her husband, Ed, who cultivated his lush white beard all year for the role of Santa, said the church participates in Light Up Night as a way to introduce themselves to locals, even to non church goers, in a casual setting.
“We do it because we want people to know that we’re everyday people,” Johnson said. “We’re part of the community and the community is part of us.”
Across U.S. 1, Monnett Eye Center drew revelers in with a giant gingerbread house and Re/Max Crown Realty with its Winter Village. Kim Ellis Insurance offered a sundae bar with hot chocolate. The merchants of the Village Square opened their doors and offered cookies, snacks and more Santas. Live music from the Beach House pub wafted throughout the shopping center as families and retirees and even a few young couples on dates strolled from shop to shop eying artwork, candles, jewelry, dresses and adoptable kittens.
As the event ended around 8 p.m., the parties at the drinking and dining establishments along Sebastian’s riverfront were just kicking into gear.
Festivities continue with the city’s Holiday Parade at 6 p.m. Saturday.