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Frosty fun

Christmas Walk talk of town in Hancock

Bennett Bonini, 7, of South Range, gives Santa Claus his Christmas list at Friday’s Christmas Walk in Hancock.

HANCOCK — In place of the usual vehicle traffic down Quincy Street, Friday night saw families riding down the street in a horse-drawn wagon and Santa Claus hopping on a fire truck on his way to light the tree.

The occasion was the annual Hancock Christmas Walk. After last year’s scaled-down event due to COVID, this year’s was back to full-scale. Sled dogs returned for the first time in a couple of years. This was also the first year Quincy Street had been blocked off during the walk, allowing for horses and pedestrians to have the run of the street.

“It’s great to see everybody out,” said co-organizer Shelley Lucchesi.

Planning began in August, with a flurry of activity over the past few weeks as volunteers took on specific areas, Lucchesi said.

“We’ve made it so much bigger that everything takes a little more time,” she said. “So everybody taking a part of it really is worthwhile.”

This year’s theme was “Frosty Comes to Hancock.” In keeping with the snowman theme, children lined up at Quincy Green for the chance to go snowman bowling — done by sledding down the icy hill to knock down inflatable pin-shaped snowmen.

“I hit all of them!” yelled Machaia Jarve, 6.

Numerous local businesses had refreshments, specials or Christmas-themed activities. People walking down Quincy Street could also warm up with hot chocolate or a stop at one of the fire barrels placed around downtown by the Hancock Fire Department.

Near the pocket park, Community Alliance for Progressive Education (CAPE) set up a booth where people could make Christmas decorations out of household items such as toilet paper tube snowmen.

“We’re big on refurbishing and recycling items, especially because we own a makerspace,” said CAPE member Anna Sanchez.

The event also helped CAPE spread the word about its classes, held on the fourth floor of Hirvonen Hall. A full schedule is available at keweenawcape.com.

The biggest draw of the night was Santa Claus, who pulled up to Hancock’s Veterans Park on a fire truck before lighting up the Christmas tree. A line of children waited to get their picture with Santa and tell him what they wanted for Christmas.

Bennett Bonini, 7, of South Range asked Santa for two RC cars and a Hot Wheels set.

His mother, Bobbi Jo Bonini, is no stranger to the walk, having grown up in Hancock.

“I brought my son here as a great way to start the holiday season,” she said.

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