Holiday Dynamic Duo: Ozzie Cougar and Santa Claus
Children bent the ear of Santa Claus while sitting on his lap as he and sidekick Ozzie Cougar took note of what they wanted for Christmas this year at the Kane County Cougars’ second annual holiday event at Fifth Third Ballpark in Geneva on Saturday morning.
Fresh snow blanketed the stadium and ball field, complimenting the holiday scene inside as visitors viewed it from an upper deck event room. A steady stream of children and adults came through the doors to visit with the duo, sip on hot cocoa while decorating holiday cookies and ornaments, and coloring in a holiday scene of the pair as holiday music filled the air.
Fans were also asked to bring gently-used winter coats and outwear to add to their annual coat drive for the South Elgin Lions Club. For every item donated, they received two undated ticket vouchers for the 2014 regular season. Children also received a free ticket if they talked to Santa.
Director of Public Relations Shawn Touney said the donation bin for the winter items has had to be emptied often to make room for more. “People have been unbelievably generous,” he said. By 10:15 a.m., a tower of coats were stacked atop the bin and bags of items around the base.
Approximately 300 people attended the event last year and the crowds were on course of being about the same size this year, according to Touney. He said a family of three from Minooka was waiting outside the doors at 8:45 a.m.
Cougars fans, Joelle and Greg Rivara of St. Charles brought their children, Quinn, 9, and Gianna, 8, to see Santa. Ticket holders since 1994, the family attends several games a year in their usual spot behind the Cougars dugout. The kids have had their own seats since they were born. Gianna’s favorite thing about coming to the holiday event was seeing Santa. When asked about Ozzie, she said, “I like him, too.” Quinn thought the ballpark looked “really cool” with the snow cover.
Zac Gablin, 8, of South Elgin and his brother, Brody, 4, attended the event for the first time. They brought items for the coat drive and earned eight ticket vouchers. Both boys asked for Pokemon items and Zac said he liked taking pictures with Santa the best. He then volunteered that his mom, Jessica, wanted a new car from Santa for Christmas, which drew laughter from her. “You should put it in the news!” he added.
Winter items for the coat drive can be dropped off at the Cougars’ administrative office from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Items must be donated no later than Dec. 18. For more information, visit kccougars.com or call (630) 232-8811.