By Catherine Ellerton

Moapa Valley Progress

Holiday sparkle filled the main hall of the Old Logandale School last weekend during the annual Festival of Trees. Photo by Vernon Robison.

I eagerly entered the Old Logandale School last weekend to see what creative decorating ideas had been submitted this year during OLSHACS annual fund raiser – The Festival of Trees.

The sparkle and glitter of the trees that lined the auditorium took a back seat when I spied resting on an easy chair near the entrance the hat and coat of Santa! Where could he be? Was he hiding among the trees, or, maybe in the Nativity Room? The Vendor Room? Or backstage enjoying the many entertainment acts?

I began to wander through the festive trees that had been donated to the fund raiser by local families and businesses trying to spy the jolly old man. There were white trees with red and green ornaments and green trees with white ornaments. There were trees with toys and trees with supplies.

In confusion I sat down to sort out the best route to take and to share a laugh or two with Cowboy Poet Ken Marshall as he talked about cattle that drove trucks, the wonder of Outfitter’s Jerky and of Ropin’ Bears. Soon I spotted some short folks wandering about. Could they be elves? Could they take me to the tree that Santa was hiding behind?

The Moapa Valley Children’s Choir rocked the auditorium during their Juke Box Songs of Christmas presentation at the Festival of Trees. Photo by Catherine Ellerton.

On second look, the elves where actually children in disguise, which was even better, I thought. They surely would know the best route to take. Three year old Rebecca Robison decided the Princess Tree would be a good bet – blue is her favorite color. But brother, Ryan, who is 6 years old, stated that the Bowler Elementary Tree laden with so many school supplies was best.

Still, Santa could not be found.

Matthew and Madilyn Marshall, 4 year old twins, had completely different ideas what made the best tree. Matthew liked the Candy Cane Tree which magically turned into a Monkey Tree when we approached and Madilyn insisted the Princess Tree with the crowns was still the best bet. Six year old Dalton Marshall agreed with me that the Teddy Bear Tree was the way to go.

Still Santa played hide and seek.

Santa’s coat and hat found at the Festival of Trees...but no Santa. Photo by Catherine Ellerton.

I rushed to the Nativity Room thinking that the jolly old elf might be there enjoying the many Nativity collections that could be found. All sizes and shapes and, even one made of bees wax, would surely cause his eyes to twinkle. But he was nowhere to be found.

Trying to outsmart this delightful St. Nick, I wandered through the vendors room knowing he must be adding gifts to his bag. I wandered through the jewelry, fudge and jelly, Swarovski Crystal, Tupperware, beauty products and accents and, yet, I could not spot that elusive gentleman.

I heard such a joyful noise that I knew he must be near. I rushed back to the auditorium where the MV Children’s Choir was rockin’ to Juke Box Christmas Songs. But, alas and alack, Santa was not there. In hopes that St. Nick would soon come by, I sat enjoying the Christmas music of a String Quartet, the singers, strings and recorders of the Zephyr Consort, the Nelson Family Band, The Middle School Orchestra, Desert Song Studio musicians, the Goldenettes, Kristine Leach, Josh Omer and Rachel Garcia. They were delightful and filled the air with Christmas joy, but the jolly old elf still did not come.

In despair I rushed to Event Coordinator Robin Maughan who, with her elves Pam Toulouse, Lea Hurst and Shanalee Simper, should know where Santa could be. They just shook their heads and smiled a knowing smile and, it was then, that I heard in the distance “Happy Christmas to all and to all a good night!”