GREENVILLE — Darke County Parks’ annual Walkin’ in a Winter Wonderland holiday event saw one of the largest crowds ever, Dec. 3.

This was the ninth annual festival. More than 700 people made their way along the half-mile trail in Shawnee Prairie Preserve, lit with nearly 500 luminaries and crisp with the hint of the coming winter on the air. Attendees also enjoyed decorating gingerbread men, delighting in the 14 decorated Christmas trees, and constructing Christmas ornaments in the Nature Center. The Friends of the Darke County Parks Gift Shop was open, selling stocking stuffers, Christmas tree ornaments, and more. St. Nick stopped in to see what was going on and visit with some good little girls and boys.

At the log house, costumed staff and volunteers welcomed the chilly travelers in true historic style, with spiced cider warmed at the hearth and ginger molasses cookies. A mountain dulcimer player filled the air with Christmas music and inspired some singing. Upstairs, visitors were invited to string popcorn and cranberries to decorate their trees or feed their birds at home. Outside at the blacksmith shop, the anvil rang, and the forged glowed bright.

Santa said he had “never gotten so many requests for farms, fields or farm equipment before,” as he distributed candy canes to the visiting children.