It’s Christmas time in St. Bernard Parish

The 2012 Christmas season got off to a fun start on Saturday, Dec. 1 with a Christmas party at the Community Playground in Torres Park as Santa, Mrs. Claus and numerous Christmas characters greeted children who also got a chance to mail their letters to the North Pole, ride a special fire engine train and listen to music by a Chalmette High ensemble. The St. Bernard Chamber kicked off its annual Shop St. Bernard program at the event, sponsored by St. Bernard Parish Government & Tourism Office, St. Bernard Community Foundation, St. Bernard Chamber, Chalmette Refining LLC, the LA Crawfish Festival & Celebrate St. Bernard. Shown, Sheriff’s Office Capt Bret Bowen escorts Santa Claus as he exits the Gulf Coast Bank trolley that brought them to Torres Park for the party. Also, Santa and Mrs. Claus create a scene as they are greeted as they walk into the park. Also, a group of children sit on Santa’s lap, with parish tourism head Elizabeth “Gidget” McDougall at far right. And shown are youngsters riding the special train that took them around the park, with others lining up in the background to see Santa and Mrs. Claus. STEVE CANNIZARO PHOTOS.