John Patrick, who has played Santa outside his Pocahontas home for 28 years, gives toys Sunday night to Lindsey Gazaway, 6.
Photo by Kenneth Heard
The cars begin lining up on Maple Street 30 minutes before Santa Claus dons his black boots and strides out into his yard to hand out toys to children.
For three to four hours each night for five nights in December, the three-block stretch that connects U.S. 67 with Decker Street in northeast Pocahontas becomes the heart of Christmas for those in the Randolph County town.
Each year, John Patrick, 75, puts on his red suit and a beard and stands in his decorated front yard, giving children teddy bears, balls and trucks, regaling visitors with Christmas stories and waving and winking at parents.
He’s been doing it for 28 years. It is as much a seasonal ritual ...
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Arkansas, Pages 13 on 12/23/2009
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