MEL TOADVINE Santa Claus arrived at Winterfest to the thrill of the large crowd of children.

Christmas arrived in Lehigh Acres this past Saturday and thousands of youngsters were lined up at two places in town to see the white whiskered man in his bright red suit.

He made his first visit Saturday afternoon at Winterfest at Veterans Park. This was the second annual Winterfest and planner Chris Mojica said crowds of people were “way more than last year.”

There were all types of fun and games for Lehigh’s children of all ages and many enjoyed different entertainment throughout the day with temperatures in the low 80s, an ideal Christmas season for most people who have chosen Southwest Florida as their home. Up north, ice storms spread from Texas into New England and the cold weather in some areas was below zero.

Lots of Christmas music could be heard throughout the park and plenty of food was available for all who attended.

Santa was due to arrive at 1:35 p.m., but was about an hour late due to some problems with his chariot. He couldn’t use a sled because Southwest Florida doesn’t ever get snow on the ground.

MEL TOADVINE Children waiting for Santa to arrive on the big outside stage at Veterans Park.

But the hundreds of children who packed the area in front of the giant outside stage at Veterans Park were kept entertained with music and lots of young dancers.

Santa brought an elf with him and she entertained the crowds while they waited for Santa.

John Patrick, the chief meteorologist with ABC-7 in Fort Myers was the spirited emcee as he kept the shows moving.

In the park were bounce houses and other games all available for the kids.

At one point, Michael Bonacolta of Lehigh, an elected member of the East County Water Control District, who takes over as chairman next month, took to the stage to tell the true meaning of Christmas.

MEL TOADVINE Young dancers like this entertained the Winterfest crowds prior to Santa’s arrival.

He told them it was all about giving and enjoying the holiday and in the beginning it came about with the birth of the baby Jesus who was born in a manger in Bethlehem.

Also during the day, children enjoyed “snowflakes” as they fell from the sky. Mojica said the flakes were “artificial” and made to look like actual snow falling.

Mojica and others who helped put the second Winterfest on, said they planned for it to become an annual event.

Meanwhile, on Friday night, the Lehigh Towne Center held its annual Christmas celebration and several hundred people turned out to enjoy food and music and dancing by local students. The late Eugen Borosch, who died this year, began the celebration several years ago and his wife, Conchita carried it on this year.

A giant Christmas tree was lit in the center area of the Town Centre on Alabama and Homestead roads and children danced in the parking lot.

MEL TOADVINE The true meaning of Christmas was presented by Mike Bonacolta, left, of Lehigh. Standing next to him is Winterfest organizer Chris Mojica who said the attendance this year was more than last year.

And Santa also made a stop at Lehigh Regional Medical Center Saturday night to greet hundreds of kids and their parents. Free refreshments were served to all and entertainment was provided and the kids got their photos taken with Santa for free, a gift from the hospital.

Toward the end of the ceremony, the large Christmas tree in front of the hospital was lit.

A Christmas program is legend at Lehigh Regional Medical Center with programs going back for several years under different management teams at the hospital.