Weather can't stop the holiday fun at Children's Auction Family Night

BELMONT — It was a winter wonderland throughout the Lakes Region Wednesday night. While it was quite a bit warmer inside Belknap Marketplace, that same seasonal feeling was in the air during the Greater Lakes Region Children’s Auction's annual Family Night.

Just outside The Warren Bailey Studio, the sound of the Snow Family band could be heard playing holiday tunes as the Grinch made his rounds, snapping photos with kids. Elves bounced around the room, helping kids at the cookie-decorating station and the toy shop set up alongside it.

Mrs. Claus appeared at the event, holding down the fort at the North Pole Post Office, where she was taking letters from children to make sure they would get into the hands of Santa himself.

“Family Night is one of my favorite nights of the year,” Mrs. Claus said, as she looked at a letters from Ellysia and Elliott Zuchowsk of Laconia. “I get to spend it with all of the kids, and with Santa.”

Next to the post office was a bench for Santa to take photos with kids, and hear all about what they want for Christmas this year.

“This is absolutely wonderful, and of course the auction is near and dear to my heart,” Santa Claus said. “It costs absolutely nothing to be kind, but it is the most valuable thing that we all possess.”

Rosie Barton, 8, was decorating a snowflake-shaped cookie with a huge smile on her face. When asked what she was most excited for, she didn’t bat an eye about anything other than cookies. Right next to her were Brayden Von Schild, 5, and his sister Lexi, who were both just as focused on their cookie artwork. Barton said she was anticipating the fact she would eat her art when she was done.

“She’s doing a great job, that’s what she’s doing,” said Nancy Belanger, who was decked head to toe in elf garb. “This is the best time of the year. Anything for the kids.”

Veronica Hall came from Tilton with her two children, Sophia and Dalton, to get a picture with Old Saint Nick. Sophia, who had her face painted like Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer, said she was “excited for Santa, and all the activities.”

“It’s really fun to get the kids involved,” Veronica said. “Seeing Santa and the Grinch. It’s a great time.”

There were plenty of options for face painting, and 5-year-old Lydia Defeo was getting a Grinch on her cheek, hand-drawn by volunteer Emily Aguiar. Defeo was there with her parents Kevin and Kim, and 2-year-old sister Lainey.

“It’s just amazing,” Kim said. “This is something we come to every year, and look forward to. The kids love it.”

Tonya Paradise was working at Santa’s toy shop with her son Michael-James Piper, 10. Piper was hammering away, and said he loves to build stuff. Making toys is his favorite part of the event.

“It’s great and gives us something to do for free, which is really nice around the holidays,” Paradise said.

While it was dumping consistent snow all day leading up to the event, Family Night was well-attended. Families filled the length of the corridor of the mall as the night went on, running from the entrance to the Children's Auction broadcast studio all the way down to a Christmas tree lit with holiday lights at the far end.

This is where Yesteryear was set up, a three-piece band playing favorites like “Old Time Rock & Roll” by Bob Seger and “Jingle Bell Rock” by Bobby Helms. To the left of the band, Kristen Murphy was with her 8-month-old daughter Millie, who will soon be experiencing her first Christmas.

Murphy said Millie's first meeting with Santa, like for many babies, came with some tears. The tears quickly dried up, and Millie turned her attention to the holiday sounds, lights and festivities around her. She was greeted by Miss Lakes Region Megan Soucy, who posed for a photo under the tree with Millie, who was now sporting a big smile, seemingly forgetting her worries from moments ago.

Soucy was elated to be part of Family Night, praising the Children’s Auction for all the work they do in the community. She said holding a free event like this was wonderful for everyone to be able to ring in the holiday season together.

“The generosity is just so incredible, and all the programs they benefit must be so grateful for their work,” Soucy said.

Holiday activities took up the brunt of the event, along with the Lakerbots team from Inter-Lakes High School, to show off their robotics work. Bentley Kake and Caleb Therieault, both students at Inter-Lakes, displayed the robot they created, which sent them to the district championship meet.

Other tables at the event featured the Belmont Fire Department and the Laconia Kiwanis Club.

Jenn Kelley, executive director of the Greater Lakes Region Children’s Auction, was happy there were so many families at the event. She was unsure at first because of weather conditions, but by the end of the event, the place was popping with holiday spirit. The turnout was a testament to what the Children’s Auction is all about.

“It’s been a great happy vibe,” Kelley said. “There has been fantastic energy. People are coming out, dropping things off and making donations. It is just a fantastic time of year with an incredibly giving community.”

Friday, Dec. 12, is the final day of the 44th Greater Lakes Region Children’s Auction, and Kelley is urging people to keep up the donations and overbids. Bid for the kids at childrensauction.org or 603-527-0999.